In the heart of Bhaktapur lies a quiet pond few tourists notice, yet one that holds a dramatic story.
Built by Jagat Jyoti Malla in memory of his queen, this lesser-known “Rani Pokhari” predates the one in Kathmandu.
Chatpter 1: The Royal Love Story Behind Bhaktapur’s Rani Pokhari
Long before Kathmandu’s Rani Pokhari became a landmark, Bhaktapur’s King Jagat Jyoti Malla built a beautiful pond to honor his queen, Rajlaxmi Devi.
The inscription says it was completed within five months
Built in 1687 BS (1630 AD), this original Rani Pokhari Bhaktapur was a testament to royal devotion, designed not just for beauty but also to enhance the city’s prestige and host religious ceremonies.
But this love story was interrupted by war.
During a conflict with the kingdom, Kathmandu’s King Pratap Malla invaded Bhaktapur and reportedly demolished the original pond, even taking its golden Nag (serpent deity) and other artworks to adorn his own Hanuman Dhoka Palace.
Chapter 2: The Rise of “New” Rani Pokhari in Kathmandu
In a dramatic twist, Pratap Malla replicated it back home. Around 40 years later, in 1727 BS, he built Kathmandu’s Rani Pokhari to console his grieving queen.
This act of architectural imitation explains the name: Kathmandu’s Rani Pokhari was called Na Pukhu(“New Pond” in Nepal Bhasa), to distinguish it from its older sibling in Bhaktapur.
Chapter 3: The 38-Year Silence: When the Pond Vanished from Public Memory
For centuries, the pond was maintained, with King Jitmitra Malla conducting a major renovation, as recorded in an inscription found on the site.
However, the pond’s fate took a sharp turn in 2040 BS (1983 AD) during the Panchayat era.
In a move that shocked locals, the Nepal Army took control of nearly 500 ropani of public land in the area, including the historic Rani Pokhari and the adjacent “Sano Tundikhel.”
The army built a residential school, sports grounds, and other structures on what had been a public commons.
For 38 years, the pond became a “ghost pond”—overgrown, neglected, and accessible only once a year during the Dewali Puja festival, and even then, only with special military permission.
A living piece of heritage had vanished from public life.
Chapter 4: The People’s Victory: Reclaiming a Lost Heritage
The pond’s modern rebirth is a testament to persistent local advocacy. The turning point came in 2075 BS when Bhaktapur Mayor Sunil Prajapati met with the then-Defense Minister and Chief of Army Staff, Purnachandra Thapa.
He argued for the pond’s return, highlighting the annual struggles of locals wanting to worship their ancestral deity. His proposal: the municipality would take full responsibility for the restoration and upkeep if the army would return the pond to the public.
In 2076 BS, the army agreed. The Rani Pokhari was coming home.
Chapter 5: The Grand Restoration & Archaeological Treasures
The municipality embarked on an ambitious NPR 2.54 crore restoration, aided by 884 volunteers who contributed their labour. What they uncovered was a time capsule:
- The restoration confirmed the pond’s area as 12 ropani, 5 aana, 2 paisa.
- Archaeologists found crucial stone inscriptions from King Jitmitra Malla’s reign, detailing his restoration and the grand festival he held, inviting kings from Kantipur and Lalitpur.
- Other artifacts like Umamaheshwar statues, Shiva Lingas, and traditional water spouts (Jaldroni) were unearthed, confirming the site’s deep religious significance.
The pond was meticulously restored in the Malla-era architectural style, with a new boundary wall, four gates, and the central golden Nag reinstated, its head watching over the once-again serene waters.
Epilogue: A Living Heritage, Once Again
In 2023, after nearly four decades, Bhaktapur’s Rani Pokhari was officially reopened to the public by Narayanman Bijukchhe.
Rani Pokhari in Bhaktapur covers about 12 ropani 5 aana. Its centerpiece—a golden Basuki Naag pillar—symbolically connects three sacred ponds:
- Rani Pokhari (head)
- Siddha Pokhari (body)
- Na Pukhu (tail)
This belief, documented by cultural expert Om Dhaubhadel, reflects Bhaktapur’s ancient cosmological design.
Around the pond stand Malla-era pati (rest houses), stone pavements, and brick walls built in traditional style.
One unique structure, the “Hwang-Hwang Falcha”, earned its name from the sound of wind passing through its old, hollow walls.
In the Malla period, it was a resting point for dance troupes from Patan and Kathmandu who performed in Bhaktapur’s royal courtyards.
Visit the Revived Rani Pokhari in Bhaktapur
Today, Rani Pokhari stands not only as a memorial to a queen but as a powerful symbol of community resilience and the successful reclamation of public heritage.
The story of who built Rani Pokhari has many answers: a king for love, another for conquest, a city for its people, and finally, a community that fought to bring it back to life.
📍 Where: Nagarkot Road, Sallaghari, Bhaktapur (near the Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya)
🕒 Hours: Open to the public daily
🎟️ Entry: Free
