Narayanhiti Palace Museum was the residence and workplace of reigning monarch of Kingdom of Nepal.It was built in 1961 by King Mahendra. Architect of this grand palace was Benjamin Polk based in California. After 2006 revolution it was turned into public museum.
This palace complex showcases courtyards, gardens, taxidermy heads of tiger, deer, Arna Buffalo (Bubalus Arnee) tiger and other wild animals' skin, and different rooms used by the monarchs for various purposes. Before the entry fee to visit the museum used to be NRS 100 for Nepalese. For foreigners it's higher and South Asians are entitled to some discount. Now museum visitors can see Shree Sadan too which was previously unavailable so the entry fee is NRS 200 for Nepalese. Shree Sadan is three-storied and King Birendra's family home.
However, as per traditions crown prince needed to stay separately from parents as he turned 18, so crown prince Dipendra did not live in Shree Sadan. He actually lived in Tribhuwan Sadan, where royal massacre took place in 2001 and Tribhuwan Sadan was later demolished. We can still see the debris over there. As a matter of fact, Shree Sadan is built by King Birendra himself after he moved out of his father's home.
On the way to Shree Sadan we can see a plane, a helicopter and expensive bullet-proof Mercedes and other cars used by ex-royals. There's also a car gifted by Adolf Hitler himself.
NARAYANHITI PALACE WEBSITE states that it's closed on Tuesday. It opens on Wednesday through Monday from 11am onwards till 4pm.
There will be museum staff to guide us and they also ensure the safety of the things that are there. Put aside at least one and half hour to see everything that's there and probably more depending on how deeply you want to observe things. Narayanhiti Palace Museum has got a high rating on Tripadvisor too.
There's also a washroom there which visitors can use, in the garden area behind the main palace building and resting benches for old age people.
No comments:
Post a Comment