Nepal: Royal Guard at Nasal Chowk (Courtyard of Dance), Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kathmandu (1996)

The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon. The Nasal Chowk (Courtyard of Dance) derives its name from Nachaleshvar (also Nritshevar), the 'Lord of Dance', a manifestation of Shiva, and there is an inconspicuous shrine to that god on the eastern side of the courtyard. Originally used for dance and theatre performances, at the beginning of the Shah Dynasty, Nasal Chowk became the setting for royal coronations, ceremonies previously held in the adjoining Mul Chowk. In the middle of Nasal Chowk, there is a platform, dating back to 1826, on which King Birendra was officially crowned in 1975 (after having effectively become king in 1972).