However, the garden area which has been barred to the public for 165 years, will not entertain the public any time soon, according to Sarswati Singh, executive director of Hanumandhoka Museum Development Committee.[break]
“A Malla-era’s palace, be it in Patan, Bhaktapur or Hanuman Dhoka, has a garden behind it.” But at the moment, Bhandarkhal Chowk’s extension that boasts of a Malla-era garden is just a plain site.
“We are yet to come out with the layout and the preservation work is yet to kick off,” Singh adds. “In this context, the committee can’t give out such statements.” According to Singh, as Bhandarkhal garden is annexed to two treasure houses, a lot of homework needs to be done before taking such arduous step.
Former spokesperson of Ministry of Culture Jal Krishna Shrestha was quoted in Republica saying that the Hanumandhoka Durbar Development Committee constituted a year ago is currently doing the homework to open up some seven squares and Bhandarkhal garden.
Nonetheless, the executive director of the committee isn’t aware about such plan.
Singh, who formerly was with Patan Durbar Heritage Committee, surmises that Shrestha and others might have confused it with the garden in Patan, which is being renovated at the moment. Renovation works are taking place in Sundari, Mul and Bhandarkhal garden in Patan Durbar Square.
“As the work completes, which might take another two years, the garden will be public.”
Shrestha, however, claims that he was the spokesperson of the ministry at the time (September 15) when he gave out the statement but retired 3/4 days back. Singh, however, contradicts his statement saying Shrestha retired some 10/15 days ago.
“We have only contemplated opening Mohan and Sundari chowk but as of now it’s just a plan,” informed Singh.
Even when it comes to making Mohan and Sundari courtyards public, Shyam Sundar Shrestha, former head of Durbar Caretaking Office, says that since the sites have a lot of ancient idols and statues, one has to think about their security as well, which means extra manpower.
Singh, who was appointed the committee’s executive director five months back, adds that besides one also has to keep security of public in mind as there are a lot of small lanes in the particular area.
Inside the barred area Bhandarkhal is one of the 12 courtyards inside the present Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, informs Shyam Sundar Shrestha.
There were altogether 35 courtyards—big and small ones—before the 1990s when the durbar area also comprised dabalis and there were no paved concrete roads.
The infamous Kot courtyard, where the Kot Massacre took place, lies outside the durbar premises behind the Metropolitan Police Office.
Along with Bhandarkhal garden area, Mul, Mohan, Sundari and Trishuli courtyards are amongst the barred ones. However, public are not totally prohibited from entering them.
Shrestha, who served as the head of the office for two years, informs that during festivals like Dashain, worshippers are allowed in Trishuli Chowk.
As soon as one gets through the durbar gate, one steps into Nasal Chowk. Past the Nasal, on the right comes Lohan Chowk with its beautifully carved big wooden doors.
The Bhandarkhal site rests past these two chowks on the far eastern side of the durbar.
The area where the Bhandarkhal massacre took place has always been open to the public. One can also step into the extension of the chowk where Jung Bahadur supposedly killed his maternal uncle Mathbir Singh Thapa but the main palace has been locked up.
However, the area, which houses a jeep used by King Mahendra during his Janakpur travel, and Nag Pokhari, Dashain Ghar and Putali Garden are not accessible to the public.
Saarctourism.org, a web portal dedicated to tourism of South Asian region, mentions that Bhandarkhal has a botanical garden created by King Pratap Malla in the mid 17th century.
“With its diverse flora, Bhandarkal is a treat for nature lovers and ecologists. The garden has been named after a seven-storied palace that possesses a statue of the Sleeping Vishnu, Jalashayana Narayan.”
It is said the replica of the sleeping Vishnu was placed by Pratap Malla.
One can get a full view of the intricately carved scales of the snake that stands in the middle of Nag Pokhari, which is devoid of water. An army man is stationed right in front of the jeep and a rope is used to prevent people from entering the area.
At the moment, a temporary volleyball court is set up at the garden for the army men. “But once the preservation work starts, it can be removed,” informs Sarswati Singh.
Past these sites, the army guards the dhukuti (treasury), from where Bhandarkhal has derived its name.
“Till date, no one has unlocked these dhukutis to find out what actually is stored inside,” informs Shrestha. The front section of the treasury isn’t in an intact condition compared to the back part, which has been locked up with bhote talcha (an old styled door locks).
Shrestha sheds light on the particular area being used as treasury from the Malla reign. One can find a few instances in history where it has been mentioned that the particular section has been used as treasury.
“When Prithvi Narayan Shah attacked the Valley, Jay Prakash Malla ordered his platoon to dig out treasure from the particular area.” Though one doesn’t have access to it, the treasury structure, which shares similarity to the Rana architects, is pretty visible from the garden.
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“Even if Bhandarkhal is open to public, just the area with Putali garden will be done so,” adds Singh.
When inquired about the possibilities of treasury for public viewing, Singh and Shrestha conclude that representatives from all establishments who directly or indirectly work for the heritage are required for a lot of preservation and conservation efforts.
Nepal has always charmed her people and foreigners because of the numerous legends and anecdotes its history holds.
But somewhere amidst the courtyard maze, the legends and the reality have always been mixed up, leaving us with several versions of rumors.
Thus it’s high time to document whatever remaining aspects we have with proper observation.
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