Singha Durbar Nepal’s Stunning Lion’s Palace Revealed

Singha Durbar, also known as Singhadurbar or the “Lion’s Palace,” is one of the most iconic landmarks in Nepal. Located in the heart of Kathmandu, this historic palace was built by Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana between 1903 and 1908 AD. At its peak, Singha Durbar was considered one of the largest palaces in Asia, with over 1,000 rooms, 7 courtyards, sprawling gardens, fountains, a deer park, polo grounds, and tennis courts.

Covering an area of about 50 hectares, Singha Durbar reflects a blend of Neoclassical, Palladian, and Baroque architecture, showcasing the lavish lifestyle of the Rana rulers. After the fall of the Rana regime, the palace was handed over to the Government of Nepal and transformed into the administrative center of the country. Today, it houses the Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament Secretariat, and several key government ministries, making it the political heart of Nepal.

The palace, however, has faced tragedies. A massive fire in 1973 destroyed three of its wings, while another fire in September 2025 during protests caused serious damage to the Prime Minister’s Office. Despite these disasters, Singha Durbar remains a symbol of Nepal’s governance, history, and resilience.

Location of Singha Durbar

Singha Durbar is located in central Kathmandu, within Bagmati Province, making it one of the most accessible and well-known landmarks of the capital. The palace lies close to Bhadrakali Temple and Babar Mahal, and its massive white façade can be easily recognized by anyone passing through the area. On the Singha Durbar location map, it occupies a vast compound covering around 50 hectares of land, surrounded by high boundary walls and guarded gates.

Exact coordinates: 27.69778° N, 85.32373° E
Nearby landmarks: Bhadrakali Temple, Babar Mahal, Thapathali, and Putalisadak
Province: Bagmati Province
Accessibility: The main gates of Singha Durbar face the busy Kathmandu-Bhadrakali road, and entry is strictly regulated through a Singha Durbar gate pass for security reasons.

With its size and central location, Singha Durbar continues to dominate the administrative and political landscape of Nepal, housing key government institutions such as the Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament Secretariat, and several ministries.

History of Singha Durbar

Singha Durbar was constructed by Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana between 1903 and 1908 AD. The palace was designed by talented Nepali architects Kumar Narsingh Rana and Kishor Narsingh Rana, who combined Neoclassical, Palladian, and Baroque architectural styles to create one of the grandest palaces of its time.

Originally built as the private residence of the Rana Prime Minister, Singha Durbar was a symbol of power, extravagance, and modernity. With over 1,000 rooms, 7 courtyards, and lavish interiors decorated with marble floors, Belgian mirrors, Italian chandeliers, and European furniture, it rivaled the most luxurious palaces of Asia.

Later, Chandra Shumsher sold the palace to the Government of Nepal, and it became the official residence and workplace of Rana rulers. After the fall of the Rana regime in 1951, Singha Durbar took on a new role as the administrative and political hub of Nepal. It housed the Parliament Secretariat, the Prime Minister’s Office, and several key ministries, making it the center of decision-making in the country.

Over the decades, the palace has faced multiple tragedies, including a massive fire in 1973 that destroyed most of its wings, and another fire in September 2025 during protests that damaged the Prime Minister’s Office. Despite these disasters, Singha Durbar continues to stand tall as a symbol of Nepal’s governance, history, and resilience.

What Singha Durbar Is Famous For

Singha Durbar holds a unique place in Nepal’s history and is famous for several reasons that combine architectural beauty, political importance, and cultural symbolism:

Grand architecture: Designed by Kumar Narsingh Rana and Kishor Narsingh Rana, the palace showcases a fusion of Neoclassical, Palladian, and Baroque styles. Its elegant façade, large halls, and lavish decorations with Italian chandeliers, marble floors, and Belgian mirrors made it one of the most luxurious palaces in Asia during its time.
Massive scale : At its peak, Singha Durbar contained over 1,000 rooms, 7 spacious courtyards, vast gardens, fountains, tennis courts, and even a deer park and polo grounds. This unmatched scale earned it recognition as one of the largest palaces in Asia in the early 20th century.
Political importance : After the fall of the Rana regime in 1951, Singha Durbar became the administrative powerhouse of Nepal. It houses the Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament Secretariat, and several government ministries, making it the center of governance and policy-making.
Cultural significance : Beyond politics, Singha Durbar symbolizes the luxury, authority, and power of the Rana period. Even today, it serves as a reminder of Nepal’s transition from a feudal Rana rule to a modern democratic system.

Area of Singha Durbar

The Singha Durbar palace complex spreads over approximately 50 hectares of land, making it one of the largest palace compounds in Asia during its prime. Its vast area was not only occupied by the main palace building but also by carefully designed landscapes and recreational grounds that highlighted the luxury of the Rana rulers.

Within this area, Singha Durbar once featured:
Expansive gardens and lawns with fountains and walkways.
A deer park that reflected the aristocratic lifestyle of the Ranas.
Polo grounds and tennis courts for leisure and entertainment.
Multiple courtyards and administrative wings, each built on a grand scale.

Even today, despite fires and later reconstructions, Singha Durbar continues to stand as one of the biggest palaces in Nepal in terms of both land coverage and administrative importance. Its sprawling compound houses the Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament Secretariat, and several key ministries, making it the political hub of the nation.

When was Singha Durbar set on fire in BS

Singha Durbar has faced two of the most devastating fire incidents in Nepal’s modern history, both of which caused irreversible loss to the nation’s architectural and administrative heritage.

The first major fire occurred on 9 July 1973,(2030) BS when a huge blaze engulfed the palace and destroyed three wings of the building, sparing only the front-facing wing. Historical records note that over 60% of the palace’s original structure, which once had more than 1,000 lavish rooms, was reduced to ashes. Priceless artworks, chandeliers, Belgian mirrors, marble decorations, and official documents were lost in the inferno. In a dramatic move, cannons were even fired to demolish connecting corridors to stop the flames from spreading further. The government later carried out reconstruction on the old foundations, but the original grandeur of Singha Durbar could never be fully restored.

The second fire broke out on 9 September 2025(2082), during nationwide anti-corruption protests led by the Gen Z movement. This incident was particularly destructive because it directly affected the Prime Minister’s Office, along with several key administrative sections inside the compound. Although exact figures of the loss are still under study, preliminary reports suggested that critical government archives, files, and property worth millions of rupees were damaged or destroyed.

The effects of these fires have been long-lasting:

Loss of heritage – Original architecture, interiors, and rare artifacts were destroyed permanently.
Administrative disruption – Ministries and offices had to relocate temporarily, creating governance delays.
Financial burden – Reconstruction and restoration required enormous state expenditure, running into hundreds of millions.
Public sentiment – The palace’s repeated destruction raised questions about disaster preparedness and preservation of national monuments.

Together, the 1973 and 2025 fires underline the vulnerability of Nepal’s historic buildings and the urgent need for stronger fire safety systems, documentation, and heritage conservation strategies to safeguard Singha Durbar for future generations.

Singha Durbar Gate Pass & Access

Since Singha Durbar functions as the political and administrative hub of Nepal, entry into the compound is strictly regulated for security reasons. Visitors, journalists, researchers, and even government employees often require a Singha Durbar gate pass or prior authorization to enter. Access is generally granted only through official recommendations or departmental requests, and all entrants must pass through security checkpoints at the main ceremonial front gate.

The front gate itself is heavily guarded by the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, reflecting the importance of the ministries and offices inside, including the Prime Minister’s Office and Parliament Secretariat. High-level meetings, cabinet sessions, and parliamentary proceedings make the complex a sensitive zone, which is why even employees working inside need to renew their passes regularly.

For general visitors, gate passes are issued for limited purposes, such as:

Attending scheduled government meetings or hearings.
Official correspondence with ministries.
Authorized media coverage or reporting.
Academic or research-related visits with prior approval.

The security protocol ensures both administrative order and the protection of national leaders, especially during politically sensitive periods. In times of protest or national emergencies, public access is suspended entirely, and only authorized personnel are allowed inside.

Singha Durbar Online & Maps

Today, people can easily explore Singhadurbar maps online, find news updates about the palace, or even check Singhadurbar gate pass procedures through government websites. News portals frequently report on Singhadurbar news, especially regarding political events, cabinet meetings, or security updates.

Singha Durbar Police Station

To maintain security, a dedicated Singhadurbar police station operates within the compound. It is responsible for ensuring the safety of government officials and managing law and order inside the palace premises.

Which Is the Biggest Palace in Nepal?

When it comes to size and administrative importance, Singha Durbar holds the distinction of being the largest palace in Nepal. While Narayanhiti Palace is often celebrated for its historical role as the royal residence of the Shah monarchy, it is relatively smaller in scale and primarily served ceremonial and residential purposes.

In contrast, Singha Durbar was designed not only as a residence but also as a grand administrative complex. Covering approximately 50 hectares, with over 1,000 rooms, 7 courtyards, gardens, fountains, a deer park, and sports grounds, it was unmatched in terms of both physical scale and functionality. The palace also houses the Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament Secretariat, and several ministries, making it the political heart of the nation.

In terms of comparison:

Singha Durbar: ~50 hectares, 1,000+ rooms, administrative hub, multiple courtyards, gardens, and recreational grounds.
Narayanhiti Palace: ~30 hectares, primarily royal residence, ceremonial halls, fewer administrative offices.
Rani Mahal, Palpa: Mainly a heritage site, smaller scale, tourist attraction rather than administrative use.

Thus, while other palaces in Nepal are historically significant, Singha Durbar surpasses them all in terms of land area, number of rooms, and ongoing administrative relevance, cementing its place as the country’s largest and most important palace.

Singha Durbar is not just a palace it is the beating heart of Nepal’s governance and history. From being a luxurious Rana residence to becoming the modern seat of political power, it continues to influence the destiny of the nation. Despite fires, earthquakes, and political turmoil, the palace remains a proud reminder of Nepal’s rich past and an active participant in its present.