Good news for history & archeology buffs as well as those who love stepping into ancient monuments – the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee has decided to open two ancient courtyards, Mohankali Chok and Sundari Chok, at the Hanumandhoka Durbar for public viewing from 1st January, 2012. Built within the compound of the Hanumandhoka palace by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century, these two courtyards had been out of bounds for the general public. But now the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Nepal Pavilion Company (bodies responsible for the upkeep of the world heritage site) have decided to open the two ancient courtyards so that the people can enjoy and take pride in the architectural grandeur of the two ancient courtyards.

(Image: Explore Himalaya)

Nuwakot Palace or Saat-Taale-Durbar, built by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, of the Shah dynasty will shortly be opened for public as a museum. According to historians the palace was built between 1818 and 1825 BS, after Shah invaded Nuwakot.Plans to capture Kathmandu were made in this very palace. The sprawling building is over 46.6 feet in length and 38.4 feet in width with spacious halls and beautifully designed bedrooms. Representing a vintage tradition, it exhibits maximum use of wood and bricks. The outer layer and façade of the palace are decorated with traditional windows and artifacts similar to those found in the Malla era palaces. Shah, according to historians, had called in masons from Kathmandu to give shape to his designs. The Department of Archaeology is currently renovating the seven storied palace. Shah´s beddings and furnishings, kept at Hanumandhoka Palace, where he spent the later part of his life as a ruler of newly united Nepal with Kathmandu as the capital, are among many things to be dispatched to Nuwakot.

(source- Republica)