July 27, 2025

Tucked within the palace complex of Patan Durbar Square, Sundari Chowk is a world within a world—an enclosed courtyard so serene, it feels like time has been slowed to a still frame. While the bustling outer square buzzes with energy, Sundari Chowk invites you inward, to sit among the finest stonework in all of Nepal and contemplate the artistry of a civilization that once built its devotion into every block.

At the center lies the exquisite Tusha Hiti, a sunken ceremonial water tank lined with mythical creatures, lotus medallions, and stone serpents that slither across the walls. Built in the 17th century by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, the hiti is more than just a bath—it’s a sacred space for purification, believed to have been used by kings before ritual ceremonies. The surrounding courtyard is flanked by arcaded galleries with richly carved windows, doorframes, and struts bearing celestial dancers, tantric symbols, and animals mid-leap.

For years, Sundari Chowk remained closed to the public, its treasures hidden behind palace walls. But recent restoration work—carefully guided by master artisans using traditional tools—has reopened this jewel to the world. Now, anyone can walk the same space once reserved for royalty and priests, and feel what it means when architecture becomes prayer.

Though small in scale, Sundari Chowk offers one of the most meditative experiences in Patan. Come early, or linger late, when the shadows stretch long and the stone seems to breathe. This isn’t just a heritage site—it’s a temple of silence and reflection, where the devotion of the Malla kings is still etched into every curve.