Singh Durbar

Singh Durbar which means 'The Lion Palace'is the place that lies in the heart of Kathmandu Valley. In the early hours of July 4th 1974, Kathmandu was lit by the flames of a huge fire. The glow could be seen all over the city, and the night was filled with the hideous roar of the flames and the noise of falling masonry. Singh Durbar the greatest palace in Asia,was burning down.For two days the fire ragedfanned by strong mansoon winds.M ost of the vast building was severly damaged, and only by dynamiting the centre part could be the majestic staterooms and front facade be saved from the flames,which appearntly saperate from the back. And there was much speculation at time as to how the fire started, and the lenghly enquary produced no definite answers. But whatever the cause, it was s major disaster.

The singha Durbar was built in 1901 by the Prime Minister Maharajah Chandra Shamshere Rana. It was a masterpiece of the architectural style if the Rana period. There were nine Rana Prime Minister, from Jung Bahadur who assumed power in 1846 to Mohan shamshere who reliquished office in 1951, and they were all great builders. Kathmandu is studded with dozens of their great places which are still an attractive featyre of the city.

There vast European-style buildings which dominate Kathmandu are sources of great wonder;wonder at the skill of the Nepali and Indian architects, wonder at the expense in-volved and above all all wonder at the tremendous feats performed to get the materals into Kathmandu.