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Narayanhiti Palace Museum - KathmanduGrandeur and full of Nepal's history![]() The Narayanhiti Palace was, until the 2006 Revolution when the Monarchy were toppled, the residence of Nepal's Royal family. The existing building was built in 1970 and replaced the original which was destroyed in an earthquake. Until 2001 the Royal family were highly revered by most Nepalese people, but on the 1st. of June of that year The King, his Queen along with 8 other members of the family were shot dead by the son and heir Prince Dipendra who then shot himself only to go into a coma and dying 3 days later. However, following this act there were many conspiracy theories throughout Nepal, many did not accept the official story. The Throne went to the surviving son Gyanendra Shah but his reign only lasted for 7 years. Up until his reign Nepal had a constitutional monarchy. In 2005 he suspended the constitution and declared direct authority saying it was to suppress the Maoist insurgency. Gyanendra was also King for one year as a Child. After a political plot his father the King along with his Queen fled to India in 1950. In 1952 a deal was reached and his Father returned to the throne Touring Narayanhiti Palace MuseumBasically, the Palace has been left as it was lived in, the furniture, decoration, photographs and Pictures are all as they were in 2008. The Palace is much visited by Nepalese people, especially School Children. When you arrive you may be surprised at the long queues but Security Guards will favour Tourists (who pay five times more than Nepalese people) and guide them to the front of the queue. The route around the Palace is marked out with arrows and this takes you through the main entrance hall, into the visiting dignitaries Suites, Rooms of Office and the private apartments of the Royal Family themselves. After this you enter the garden, first walking through the demolished out-building area then into the ornamental main gardens. Wherever you go there are Security Guards, so to attempt any crafty photographs with a Mobile Phone is not recommended. I have to say that although I found the Architecture and contents splendid and most interesting, I did feel somewhat sad. For me the building has a sad background in the sense of 'rise and fall', it has certainly seen some quite major recent history. But without a doubt, the Palace is well worth visiting. |
Photography is not allowed in the Palace Museum, you must place belongings in a Safe at the Ticket Office and collect upon exit (hence no photos or videos to show you). Security is very tight.
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