Sightseeing · Kathmandu
Rani Pokhari (the Queen's Pond)
A serene 17th-century royal water tank in the heart of the city, with a white island temple that opens to the public just one day a year.
- Address
- Rani Pokhari, central Kathmandu
Rani Pokhari, the Queen's Pond, is one of central Kathmandu's most poignant landmarks — a large rectangular water tank built in 1670 by King Pratap Malla to comfort his grieving queen after the loss of their son. A small white Shiva temple sits on an island at its heart, reached by a single causeway, and the whole tank is a rare pool of calm and history in the middle of the modern city.
The short answer
Find Rani Pokhari at a busy junction near Ratna Park in central Kathmandu, a short walk from the old market squares. Most of the year you admire it from the surrounding railings — the gates and the island temple open to the public only on the last day of Tihar. It takes just a few minutes to visit, and slots perfectly between old-town stops.
What to expect
The tank is broad and still, edged by stone balustrades and a notable equestrian statue. At its center, the restored white Malla-style temple gleams above the water, linked to the shore by a causeway that stays closed except during Bhai Tika, the climax of Tihar, when crowds pour in to worship. The pond was damaged in the 2015 earthquake and carefully rebuilt with traditional methods after a public campaign to restore it faithfully.
Good to know
- Location: Central Kathmandu near Ratna Park, by a major junction.
- Access: Viewable from the railings year-round; island temple opens only at Tihar.
- Entry: Free.
- Best time: Any time for the view; the final day of Tihar for the open temple.
- Combine with: The old markets and hidden courtyard temples nearby.
How it fits your trip
Rani Pokhari is a quick, atmospheric stop that pairs naturally with a walk through the old markets of Asan Tole and Indra Chowk and the hidden Seto Machhendranath temple at Jana Bahal, all within a few minutes of each other. Together they make a satisfying half-day through historic central Kathmandu, easy to fold into a Kathmandu 2-day itinerary. For more lesser-known sights, explore the Kathmandu Valley hidden gems collection.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Rani Pokhari?+
Rani Pokhari, the Queen's Pond, is a large rectangular water tank in central Kathmandu built in 1670 by King Pratap Malla to console his queen after the death of their son. A white temple to Shiva stands on an island at its center, reached by a causeway.
Can you go inside Rani Pokhari?+
The pond's gates and the island temple are kept closed for most of the year. They open to the public only on the final day of Tihar, the festival of Bhai Tika, when people come to worship at the central shrine. The rest of the year you can admire it from the surrounding railings.
Where is Rani Pokhari located?+
Rani Pokhari sits at a major junction in central Kathmandu, near Ratna Park and a short walk from the old market squares of Asan and Indra Chowk. Its location at the heart of the modern city makes it an easy stop while exploring the old town on foot.
Was Rani Pokhari rebuilt after the earthquake?+
Yes. The pond and its central temple were damaged in the 2015 earthquake and later restored using traditional methods and materials after public campaigning. The careful reconstruction returned the white Malla-style temple to its island and refilled the historic tank.
Is there an entry fee at Rani Pokhari?+
There is no fee to view Rani Pokhari from the surrounding walkways, which is how most visitors see it. On the one day a year the gates open during Tihar, access to the island temple is free for worship and is extremely busy.
