Ranipokhari (Queen's Pond), Kathmandu

Ranipokhari, or Queen's Pond, is an artificial square-shaped pond in the heart of Kathmandu, built in 1670. With a surface area of 7.7 acres, the pond is one of the most famous landmarks in the city. It was originally constructed outside the city borders, but as Kathmandu has grown, it is now near the city's center.

The pond was built by King Pratap Malla as a gift to his wife after their son was killed by an elephant. The king had water collected from various holy places like Gosaikunda, Muktinath, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. A temple, built to honor the Hindu deity Shiva, was placed in the center of the pond.

There is an idol of Harishankar in the temple, which can be reached by a walkway that stretches from the Kanti Path. In addition, there are four smaller temples at each corner of the Queen's Pond. The southwest corner holds the Ganesh Temple and a statue of an elephant with an image of King Pratap Malla and his two sons.

The pond itself remains fenced throughout the year. It is only open to religious festivals.