Durbar Square

When King Jayayakshya Malla died in 1482, his three sons carved the Kathmandu Valley into rival kingdoms- Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur- each vying for divine favor through architectural one-upmanship. For nearly three centuries, Malla kings competed to build the most elaborate temples, courtyards, and palaces, convinced that the gods rewarded the finest craftsmanship. The result? Three Durbar Squares packed with over 150 temples and monuments combined, each more ornate than the last—a divine arms race in brick, timber, and gold leaf.