Narayanhiti Palace Museum

Narayanhiti Palace Museum – Ten-year people’s war and the nineteen days people’s movement established The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. After that Narayanhiti Royal Palace was turned into Narayanhiti Palace Museum and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on 15 June 2008. The exhibition of the museum was opened to public inaugurate by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” on 26 February 2009.

Entry Fee of Narayanhiti Royal Palace

NOTE: Free entry for the children up to 3 years old.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum Visiting Hour

NOTE: The Museum will remain closed on Tuesday and Public Holidays.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum Ticket Counter Open

Introduction of Narayanhiti Royal Palace

Narayanhiti Palace is named after a Sikhara style Narayan temple located on the eastern part of the palace compound and a water fountain next to the temple. Since water fountain is called hiti in the Newari language, the palace was called Narayanhiti, by combining both Narayan and Hiti. Following the Kot massacre of 1846 AD, Ranoddip Singh confiscated the property of Kaji Dhokal Singh Basnet and turned it into his private residence.

After the 42 saal incidence of 1885 AD, the structure built by Dhokal Singh Basnet was demolished and a new palace was built in its place which was designed by a Nepali architect, Jogbir Sthapit “Bhajuratna”.  Later Bir Sumsher Built a palace here. After the marriage of Bir Sumsher’s two daughters with King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah the king moved from his old residence, Hanumandhoka Palace to Narayanhiti to live in the palace built by Bir Sumsher and his successors continued to reside here, hence, the name Narayanhiti Royal Palace. However, the palace got destroyed in the great earthquake of 1934 A.D. King Tribhuvan’s two daughters also died in that earthquake.

Then, Tribhuvan Sadan designed by a Nepali architect Surya Jung Thapa was constructed. And it was in this building the royal massacre of 2001 AD took place. Following the royal massacre, the building was demolished. The present structure of the palace was designed by a foreign architecture. The construction began in 1963 AD and completed in 1969 AD.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum has occupied a total land area of 383850 Mtr. The palace buildings have occupied a total area of 40,820 sq. feet. The rooms & halls of this palace are named after the districts of Nepal and the main entrances of this palace are named after the mountain of Nepal. There are altogether 52 rooms in this palace including living rooms, private chamber of the royal family, rooms to house the visiting foreign head of state, dining halls, kitchen etcetera. Among rooms & halls of the palace, only 19 are open for public viewing.

Gauri Shankar Gate: The main entrance to the Palace is called Gaurishankar Gate. The Gate is 20 feet high and equally wide. The gate is an impressive example of Nepali woodworks and artistry. After entering through this gate, one reaches the Kaski Hall.

Kaski: This hall called ‘Kaski Baithak was used for receiving the visiting Heads of the States, organizing swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and Chief of Justice, receiving credentials of the New Ambassadors and some other highly important functions.

Myagdi: This room served as a Tea room for the Prime Minister, A Chief of Justice, and the ambassadors.

Parbat: In this room, the visiting Heads of the States and Other dignitaries used to sign Visitors’ Book and the Signing Ceremony that would take place after swearing-in and credentials receiving ceremony for ambassadors.

Rukum: This used to be the waiting hall for VIPs seeking an audience with the visiting Heads of the States.

Rolpa: The room served as a place for visiting Heads of the states to have met with the dignitaries. The corridor stretching from the Rolpa to the Baitadi: Photographs of foreign heads of states who stayed in the palace are displayed in the corridor. This tradition was started from the Last Photograph of Late King Mahendra till Late King Birendra.

Dailekh: Bed Room for the visiting Head of the State.

Baitadi: Bed Room for the First Lady of the visiting Head of the State.

Acham: Bed Room for other family members of the visiting Head of the State

Bajura: Dining hall for the visiting Head of the State.

Jumla: This hall was used by the visiting Head of State to rest before & after meals.

Dolpa: This room was used for the members of the royal family to have a view of various programs organized at the Gorkha Baithak.

Tanahun: This hall was assigned for the Council of Ministers, the high ranking royal officials, and the secretaries of the Ministries to have a view of the program organized at the Gorkha Baithak.

Gorkha: This hall having a “Ceremonial Throne” with 6 feet length, 4 feet breadth, and 8 feet height was used for the Decoration ceremony to the members of the Royal Family and the ceremony to announce the Crown Prince.

Note: The ceremony of the proclamation of the Constitution of Nepal- 1990 AD was also held in this hall)

Mugu: This room was used to house personal collection used by the Late King Tribhuvan.

Lamjung: This Banquet hall was used for the special State Banquet to be given in honor of the visiting Heads of the States and other dinner parties to be organized on the special occasions associated with then kings and queens.

Gulmi: This room was the Private Office of the then King.

Dhading: Room to take rest for the then king

Dhankuta: The Bed Room used by former King & Queen

Dhanusha: This hall was used for organizing the “Teeka” ceremony and offering “Teeka” to the high ranking officials on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami and also for conferring on medals on various occasions.

Tribhuvan Sadan: This building built during the reign of Tribhuvan and had many rooms. This was the place where the “Royal Palace Massacre” took place on 1 June 2001 AD (2058 Jestha 19 V.S.). In this place, the bullets were fired on the King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, crown prince Dipendra, Princess Shruti, Prince Nirajan, and some other members and relatives of the royal family. This building was dismantled after the incidents.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum Garden: The garden area contains with the blooming of rare varieties of plants and mass of beautiful flowers. The revolving shade (ghumneghar) and the rounded house (golghar) existed in the area were used for viewing the garden and water fountains around. The rounded house was also a palace for un-officials meetings and reporting to the king.