NARAYANHITI PALACE

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Rabi Shilpakar
073 BAE 225
Ar. Manju S. Mainali
Introduction
• Narayanhiti palace situated at heart of the Kathmandu valley, served as
residence and principal work place for royal family.
• The palace was built by late king Mahendra Bir Bikarm Shah Dev which
served as the centre of state occasion and royal hospitality.
• Architect-Benjamin Polk designed the building on the basis of his design of
the Tripikata Buddhist Library in Yangon with contemporary form of
Pagoda style.
• The name, Narayanhiti, is made up of two words ‘Narayana’ (lord Vishnu)
Whose temple is located opposite to the palace and ‘Hiti’ (Water Spout)
which is located to the east of main entrance.
History Of Old Palace
• During the early Shah period, the site of the Palace was
occupied by Dhokal Singh Basnet’s house which was then
occupied by Chautariya Fateh Jung Shah (6th Prime Minister of
Nepal).
• After the KOT MASSACRE, the old palace had a minor
renovation which was ordered by Ranodip Singh.
• Prime Minister Maharaja in 1877, again renovated the palace.
• During 1934 earthquake of 19934, the palace was partially
damaged which was repair and renovated under Colonel
Engineer Surya Jung Thapa and a new portico and grand
staircase was built.
• The Nepalese architect Jogbir Sthapit constructed a new palace
when Bir Sumsher uprooted the whole Narayanhiti palace in
1886.
New Palace
• In 1961 King Mahendra ordered the demolition of old palace and
construction of new palace was done.
• Californian architect Benjamin Polk designed the new palace in Nepalese
architectural style which took a decade to construct that ended in 1970.
• The main gate of the palace, Gauri sankar gate was designed by Bal Krishna
Sam with the carving by moti shilpakar.
• The land area of site is 753 ropanis with the building coverage of 40820 sq.
ft.
Features Of The Palace
Main Gate: 
• The 24 feet wide gate opens into the palace premises. On both sides of the
main driveway seven traditional stone conduits stand with the images of the
serpent deities, the nagas carved on them.
• A little farther down the western drive sit the images of Hanuman and
Kumari under the canopy, a bronze idol of Shahasrabhuja Lokheshwar (the
thousand armed lord of the universe) is flanked by two lions.
• In front of the main stairs are two cannons facing south which dates back to
the time of King Surendra (1829-1881).
 
Main Stairs: 
• The 45 feet wide stairs with 33 steps is
decked with five pairs of stone
sculptures:
• A pair of fish symbolic of swiftness,
fertility and good luck; dancing
peacocks symbolizing wisdom, charm
and gaiety; two horses traditionally
known for their endurance and
reliability; a pair of elephants
celebrated for memory power and
success; and last in succession come a
pair of legendry lions known for valor,
prowess and majesty.
Main Entrance: 
• The entrance also know as Gauri Shankar Dwar was
designed by Ba Krishna Sam with carving of Moti
shilpakar consists of four wooden columns carved with
symbols of lotus, pitches and fruit leaves.
• A pair of ivory eyes at the center with Ganesh and Kumar
on the upper portion. The figure of Uma Maheshwara
(the benevolent form of Lord Shiva) with his consort
Uma on his lap overlooks the main entrance with coiling
serpents on the top while on the lower part swastikas.
• The top crossbeam of the entrance, the toran has carvings
of the images of Ashta Matrika portrayed in gold figures
on a round silver frame.
• The western side entrance displays engravings of an
auspicious water jar, Nagakanya , an anthromorphic
image of the moon riding a deer and four symbols of the
Ashta Mangal topped by Laxmi.
 
Interior
• The Palace stands on the floor space of
3,794 m2 (40838.28 sq. ft.) and is divided
into three wings -The guest wing (western
part), the state wing (central part) and the
private wing (eastern part).
• Narayanhiti Palace has 52 rooms which are
based on Late Victorian style called sadan
and are named after districts of Nepal.
Kaski Sadan
• The main entrance leads to the Reception Hall of
the palace, named after Kaski District as Kaski
Sadan. The hall is decorated with two full size
Bengal tiger.Life -size portraits of the Shah
Monarchs are present throughout the stairs.
Some rooms are grandiose – especially the huge
towered throne room behind the prominent front
window, where extraordinary curved pillars with
garish pictures of Hindu deities leap from the
walls. 
• Kaski Sadan is the place where Shah Monarchs
of Nepal gave audience to politicians and
perform ceremony.
Gorkha Baithak
• The throne room Gorkha Baithak in Narayanhiti Palace is
the center of the entire palace.
• The Construction is based on Hindu temple architecture
style with a 48 feet Chandelier hanging on a 60 feet high
Pagoda style ceiling standing on four concrete columns
representing Naga, decorated with Astha Matrikas and
Astha Bhairava. It is under this high ceiling where Throne
of Kingdom of Nepal was placed.
• To the right of the Gorkha Baithak, is Dolpa Sadan and
was used as the room for the un-invited guests of royal
family to view proceedings of Gorkha Baithak through
a one way viewing mirror.
• Court Ceremonies was held in Dhanusha Baithak where
the king awarded decorations which was also used for
teeka and Darsan.
Conclusion
• It is said that the Narayanhiti structure was in fact, meant to represent
opacity. It was meant to inspire awe, and to maintain a certain aura of
secrecy, what is called a “complicitous silence”, especially during its time as
a seat of power.
• In 1972 King Mahendra sold Narayanhiti Palace to the government of Nepal
for 70 million Nepali Rupees claiming that the property was a dowry given
to his grandmother while marrying his grandfather, king Prithivi Narayan
shah.
• Narayanhiti palace was also the scene of the 2001 Nepalese Royal Massacre.
• After the 2006 revolution, the royal palace is now turned into a public
museum.
THANK YOU