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Historical Facts of Rani Pokhari

Historical Facts of Rani Pokhari Rani Pokhari is located in the central region of Kathmandu. It was artificially built by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century for his queen. The pond covers an area of approximately 62 ropani and 13 aana . This sacred site is opened to the public only once a year on Bhai Tika , during which sisters pray for the long life and prosperity of their brothers. Construction of Rani Pokhari Rani Pokhari was constructed in 1665 B.S. , reflecting the ancient art, architecture, and historical philosophy of that era. The pond’s water was brought from several holy places, such as Gosaikunda and other sacred sites. Inside the temple located at the center of the pond, there are statues of the queen’s two brothers and an elephant, symbolizing love and devotion. During the massive earthquake of 1990 B.S. , the temple of Rani Pokhari was severely damaged. To preserve its historical and cultural significance, Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher Rana renovated it and rest...

Monarchs of the Shah Dynasty (1743–2008)

Monarchs of the Shah Dynasty (1743–2008) The Shah Dynasty of Nepal, established by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, played a defining role in shaping the nation's modern identity. Beginning with the unification of Nepal in the mid-18th century, the Shah kings ruled the country for over two centuries, guiding it through various political, cultural, and social transformations. The following table presents a chronological overview of the monarchs of the Shah Dynasty, highlighting their reign periods, birth and death years, and other significant historical details. Highness Name Born Date Ascended Died His Majesty King Prithvi Narayan Shah, The Great 1723 A.D. 1743 A.D. 1775 A.D. His Majesty King Pratap Singh Shah 1751 A.D. 1775 A.D. 1777 A.D. His Majesty King Rana Bahadur Shah 1775 A.D. 1777 A.D. Abdicated: 1799 A.D. 1806 A.D. His Majesty King Girvan...

History of Narayanhiti Durbar- You Should Know

. History of Narayanhiti Durbar The name Narayanhiti is derived from two words in the Newar language: Narayan , symbolizing Lord Vishnu, and Hiti , meaning a traditional water spout. Thus, Narayanhiti signifies "the water spout of Lord Vishnu." Early Land Ownership The land where Narayanhiti Durbar stands today originally belonged to Shreepali Basnet , who owned an estate of about 753 ropani and resided there. Later, the land was forcibly taken by Fateh Jung Shah , who built a palace for his father. However, following the Kot Parva massacre , Fateh Jung Shah and his family were killed, and his surviving nephews fled to India. Rana Period The estate was then seized by Jung Bahadur Rana , who constructed a palace for his personal residence in a foreign architectural style . Afterward, the property came under the control of Ranodip Singh Kunwar , the younger brother of Bir Shumsher. Initially, Ranodip Singh carried out simple renovations, but after becoming Prime Minister,...

King Birendra of Nepal: The Monarch Who Bridged Tradition and Democracy

Photo Source: Social Media/King Birendra King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was the 11th King of Nepal and one of the most beloved monarchs in the country’s history. His reign, which spanned from 1972 to 2001, was a transformative period during which Nepal witnessed a major political shift from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy. Remembered for his calm demeanor, progressive outlook, and tragic end, King Birendra left a legacy that continues to resonate in modern Nepal. Quick Facts Full Name King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev Born: December 28, 1945 – Kathmandu, Nepal Died  June 1, 2001 (aged 56) – Kathmandu, Nepal Resign January 31, 1972 – June 1, 2001 Spouse Queen Aishwarya Rajya Lakshmi Devi Shah ...

Biography of Bhanubhakta Acharya – The Aadikabi of Nepal

Photo Source: Social Media/Bhanubhakta Acharya Bhanubhakta Acharya, widely honored as Aadikabi (First Poet), is a revered figure in Nepali literature. He is best known for being the first person to translate the Sanskrit epic Ramayana into the Nepali language, making sacred Hindu texts accessible to the common people. Through his simple yet profound poetic style, he laid the foundation for modern Nepali literature. This biography honors his legacy and contributions. Quick Facts Full Name: Bhanubhakta Acharya (भानुभक्त आचार्य) Born: July 13, 1814 (29 Ashadh 1871 BS) Birthplace: Chundi Ramgha, Tanahun, Nepal Died: 1868 (aged 54), Nepal Title: Aadikabi (First Poet of Nepal) Notable Work: Bhanubhakta Ramayana (Nepali translation of Valmiki’s Ramayana) Spouse: Unknown (details unavailable) Early Life and Education Bhanubhakta was born into a high-caste Brahmin family. His father, Dhananjaya Acharya, was a government official, and his grandfather was his f...

Pablo Picasso: A Twentieth-Century Icon

Pablo Picasso, one of the most renowned artists of the twentieth century, was born on October 20, 1881, in Málaga, Spain. From a young age, he showed a deep love for and talent in sketching. According to his mother, his first words were “piz, piz,” a shortened form of lápiz , the Spanish word for “pencil.” At the age of seven, Picasso began receiving formal instruction in figure drawing and oil painting from his father. On one occasion, Picasso’s father witnessed him painting over an incomplete pigeon sketch. So impressed by his son's precision and skill, he decided to stop painting altogether, believing that thirteen-year-old Picasso had already surpassed him. Artistic Fame Picasso became a pioneering and influential figure in the art world. He co-founded the Cubist movement and was instrumental in the development of collage and modern sculpture. Known for his extraordinary versatility, Picasso explored a wide range of styles throughout his life. He is widely regarded as one of t...

Rajya Laxmi Devi, Sher Bahadur Shah, Shukra Raj Shastri, Subarna Prabha, Surendra Bir Bikram Shah, and Tanka Prasad Acharya Biography

Rajya Laxmi Devi was the senior queen of King Rajendra and the mother of King Surendra. She was a staunch supporter of Mukhtiyar Rana Jang Pande. Her anti-British stance and persistent efforts to secure the crown for her son, Surendra, led to significant political instability in Nepal following the fall of Bhim Sen Thapa. In October 1841, she embarked on a pilgrimage to Benares but tragically died of Awal fever while crossing the Tarai region. Sher Bahadur Shah , a prince, was the illegitimate son of King Pratap Singh and Maiju Rani. In a dramatic and violent turn of events, he killed his half-brother, the regent ex-king Ran Bahadur, during an argument in the royal court. Mere moments later, he was strangled to death by Bal Narsingh Konwar on April 25, 1806. Shukra Raj Shastri was a dedicated teacher and the son of social reformer Madhav Raj Joshi. He established the Nepal Civil Rights Committee in 1937, aiming to promote social reform through the teachings of Hindu literature. Ins...

King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah: Architect of Nepal's Democracy

King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah Dev (1906–1955) was the 10th monarch of Nepal, reigning from 1911 to 1955 . Born on June 30, 1906 , he was the son of King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah and his Indian-born second queen, Laxmi Divyeshwari . His reign was significantly influenced by the autocratic Rana regime , which held absolute power in Nepal, reducing the Shah kings to figurehead roles. Despite this, King Tribhuvan played a crucial role in Nepal’s political transformation, ultimately leading the country toward democracy. Early Life and Ascension to the Throne King Tribhuvan ascended the throne on December 11, 1911 , following the death of his father, King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah . However, real power was concentrated in the hands of the Rana Prime Ministers , who had controlled Nepal’s governance since the mid-19th century. The king was confined to ceremonial duties while the Rana rulers exercised absolute authority over the administration, military, and judiciary. Despite these restric...