Narayanhiti Palace Museum

Narayanhiti Palace Museum in Kathmandu is a storehouse of secrets that holds the untold history of the Kings of Nepal. Let’s explore this intriguing and mysterious royal palace of Nepal, now known as the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.

The Narayanhiti Museum, once the royal residence of the Shah Kings of Nepal, is situated in the center of Kathmandu. It was established by the late King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 1963, and he and his successors lived there until 2008. King Gyanendra was the last King of Nepal, who was dethroned in 2008.

After Nepal became a Federal Democratic Republic, King Gyanendra left the Narayanhiti Palace. The palace is no longer the residence of the Kings, and has been open to the public as a museum for almost 10 years. Visitors can purchase tickets at the entrance and enter the museum.

The Narayanhiti Palace premise houses a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, facing a statue of Garuda. A beautiful garden and water fountains can also be seen. The palace building has a pagoda-style construction.

The palace is divided into three wings: the Private Wing, the Guest Wing, and the State Wing, and has a total of 52 rooms. The rooms are named after the districts of Nepal and are decorated with valuable items and artifacts.

The Reception Hall, known as Kaski Sadan, is a large room adorned with a tiger skin, a sequence of the King’s portraits, and several sculptures of deities. The Queen’s Makeup room is called Sindhuli, and the waiting room for guests is named Jhapa.

The room for special guests to hold meetings is called Ilam. The Sunsari room was used to perform Janai Purnima rituals, while the Saptari room was used to celebrate birthdays. The Dhanusha Baithak was used to celebrate Dashain by offering tika to ministers and officials, as well as to conduct award ceremonies.

The throne room, known as Gorkha Baithak, is 60 feet tall and has a pagoda-style architecture with a massive chandelier surrounded by large paintings of Hindu Deities. The King’s throne, made of gold and silver, is located underneath the grand chandelier.

The room where the King was killed is left as it is, with bullet scars and bloodstains on its walls. Visitors are interested in observing these unresolved pieces of evidence from the royal massacre inside the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.

History

Narayanhiti Palace Museum is the former royal palace in the center of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu. It was once the main residence for the country’s King.

“Narayanhiti” is a combination of two words “Narayan” and “hiti”. “Narayan” refers to a form of the Hindu god Lord Vishnu whose temple is located opposite the palace, and “hiti” means “water spout”, which is also located to the east of the main entrance in the grounds of the palace, and has a legend associated with it.

The entire area surrounded by a compound wall, located in the north-central part of Kathmandu, is known as the Narayanhiti Palace. It replaced an earlier palace, built in 1970 as a contemporary pagoda, on the occasion of the marriage of King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah, the then heir apparent to the throne.

The southern gate of the palace is located at the intersection of Prithvi Path and Durbar Marg street.

The palace grounds cover 30 hectares (74 acres) and are fully secured with gate-controlled walls on all sides. The palace, as previously discussed in Kathmandu’s history, was the site of a tragic event, known as “Nepal’s greatest tragedy”, on June 1, 2001, when King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, and his relatives were killed in a massacre.

After the massacre of King Birendra and his family, his brother Gyanendra became the King of Nepal. The massacre of the then-Royal family is still shrouded in mystery.

On May 28, 2008, after a vote by 564 constituent assembly members, 560 voted to form a new government, with the monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party, which had four members in the assembly, registering a dissenting note.

At that point, it was declared that Nepal had become a secular and inclusive democratic republic with the government declaring a three-day public holiday from May 28 to 30.

The King was then given 15 days to vacate the Narayanhiti Royal Palace, to refurbish it as a public museum until he was asked to move out. Now it has been converted into a museum and is open for all to visit.

Massacre of the Royal Family of Nepal

The Royal massacre, a tragic event, took place at Narayanhiti Palace on June 1st, 2001. It remains a sorrowful memory in the history of Nepal, even after two decades. During the massacre, the entire family of King Birendra was murdered, including King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Princess Shruti, Crown Prince Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, and Prince Nirajan Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

Several conspiracy theories exist surrounding the massacre, as there is no concrete evidence to verify the killer. Some of the popular theories include Crown Prince Dipendra killing his family in a drunken state after a party, because his family rejected his choice of bride, Devyani Rana. Another theory suggests that King Gyanendra, the brother of King Birendra, was responsible for the massacre.

Additionally, there are suggestions that the massacre was a conspiracy orchestrated by foreign countries to destabilize Nepal. There are also conflicting accounts of who was holding the gun during the shooting. Despite various facts and statements, the truth remains unclear.

Interesting Facts

Narayanhiti Palace was built by Late King Mahendra in 1963.

There are 52 rooms in Narayanhiti Museum, each named after one of the 75 districts of Nepal.

Nepal was never ruled by the British.

Nepal is now a Federal Democratic Republic, and there is no King. King Gyanendra was the last King of Nepal and was dethroned in 2008.

The scene of the 2001 Nepalese Royal Massacre occurred in the Narayanhiti Palace.

Opening Hours of Narayanhiti Palace Museum

The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is open every day of the week except Wednesday, and it is also closed on public holidays. Visitors can tour the museum from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM from Thursday to Monday, and from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM on Tuesday. The ticket counter is open during these hours.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum Ticket Fee

The entrance fee for Nepali students is NPR 50, and they must carry an identity card. The fee for all other Nepali citizens is NPR 200. The entry fee for SAARC and Chinese nationals is NPR 500, and for all other foreigners, it is NPR 1000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed and laid out the palace?

King Mahendra ordered the current palace to be renovated under the design of American architect Benjamin Polk.

What is the cost of Narayanhiti Palace Museum Visit?

The cost of visiting Narayanhiti Palace Museum varies as follows:

The entry fee for Nepali citizens is NRs. 200 per person.

The entry fee for Nepali students is NRs. 50 per person if they present a valid student ID.

The entry fee for SAARC and Chinese nationals is NRs. 500 and for all other nationalities, it is NRs. 1000 per person. Children under 3 years old can enter for free.

What can one see at the outside of the palace?

There are gates and boundary walls, courtyards and fountains, a military barracks, helipads, and a garage.

When was Narayanhiti Palace built?

Narayanhiti Palace was built by Late King Mahendra in 1963.

Who owns Narayanhiti palace?

The Government of Nepal.

Who built Narayanhiti Palace Museum?

Late King Mahendra built Narayanhiti Palace in 1963. The palace was later designated as Narayanhiti Palace Museum in 2008.

Who was the youngest King of Nepal?

Ex-King Gyanendra is the youngest King of Nepal. He was proclaimed King at the age of 3 in 1950-1951. Later, he became King again following the Narayanhiti royal massacre in 2001. He was the last King to rule Nepal and the last king of the Shah dynasty. He was dethroned in 2008.

Who is the current King of Nepal?

Nepal is now a Federal Democratic Republic, and there is no King. King Gyanendra was the last King of Nepal and was dethroned in 2008.

What happened to King Birendra of Nepal?

Late King Birendra died in a royal massacre on June 1st, 2001 inside Narayanhiti Palace. He and his entire family were killed.

Was Nepal ruled by British?

No, Nepal was never ruled by the British.

Who is the first queen of Nepal?

Queen Komal was the first queen of Nepal.

How old is Narayanhiti palace?

The palace complex is located on the east side of Keshar Mahal, near Thamel. The construction of the present Narayanhiti palace was carried out by King Mahendra in 1963 BS. Narayanhiti Palace, which is the royal palace for the last king of Nepal, has been the settlement area of the Kings of Nepal for around 135 years

Who lived in Narayanhiti palace?

Many members of the royal family including Tribhuvan, Mahendra, Birendra, Dipendra, and Gyanendra were born in Narayanhiti Palace.

Which days is the Narayanhiti Palace Museum closed?

The Narayanhiti Museum is closed on Wednesdays and during public holidays.

How many rooms are there in Narayanhiti Palace Museum?

There are 52 rooms in Narayanhiti Museum, each named after one of the 75 districts of Nepal.

How many days are required to Visit Narayanhiti Palace Museum?

The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is a short tour that can be completed in one day.

Are Photography and Video Recording allowed in Narayanhiti Palace Museum?

Photography and video recording inside the Narayanhiti Museum is strictly prohibited. You can take photos and videos from the palace’s garden and parking area but not inside the building.

How much is the ticket price for students at Narayanhiti Palace Museum?

The ticket price for Nepali students to enter Narayanhiti Palace Museum is NRs. 50. To receive this discount, students must present their student ID when buying tickets.

What is the best way to see Narayanhiti Palace Museum?

The best way to see Narayanhiti Palace Museum is by taking a tour of Kathmandu. You can explore various historical and cultural places in the city and include a visit to the museum by consulting a travel agency.

What is the location of Nepal’s Royal Crown?

The royal crown of Nepal, which symbolizes the long history of the monarchy, is on display at Narayanhiti Palace Museum. The crown is said to have 730 diamonds, over 2,000 pearls, and other precious gems. The museum also displays the royal family’s attire, swords, ornaments, and other items, which are preserved for public observation.

When did the monarchy end in Nepal?

The 239-year-old monarchy ended on May 28th, 2008.

Summary

The Narayanhiti Palace Museum in Kathmandu is a former royal palace that was once the main residence of the Kings of Nepal. The palace was built in 1963 by King Mahendra and his successors lived there until 2008 when Nepal became a Federal Democratic Republic. The palace is now open to the public as a museum, showcasing the history of the Kings of Nepal. The palace has 52 rooms named after the districts of Nepal and is divided into three wings: the Private Wing, the Guest Wing, and the State Wing.

The palace is known for its throne room, which has a pagoda-style architecture, a massive chandelier and a gold and silver throne. The room where the King was killed during the 2001 Royal massacre still has bullet scars and bloodstains. The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is a significant tourist attraction and provides an insight into the history of the Kings of Nepal