Mahadev Parvati Temple, Kathmandu

Shiva-Parvati Temple, prominently situated on the southwest side of Basantapur Darbar Square in Kathmandu, presents a distinct architectural charm that blends seamlessly with the historical aesthetics of the area. Built towards the end of the 18th century under the reign of Ran Bahadur Shah (1777-1799), this temple is a notable deviation from typical Nepali temple architecture. It is a rectangular, two-story structure, facing south with only a single roof, a feature that Ronald Bernier suggests is characteristic of shrines intended as votive offerings.

Despite its proximity to the larger Maju Dega temple, which was heavily damaged in the 2015 earthquake and is currently under reconstruction, the Shiva-Parvati Temple has maintained structural integrity, albeit with some significant concerns due to visible cracks in its brick superstructure. These issues have necessitated the use of scaffolding around its facades for stabilization.

The temple is most visually recognized for the mannequins of Shiva and Parvati positioned at the upper level, which appear to gaze across the square. Although the temple originally stood on a platform used for performances, its current role is primarily religious, with entry restricted to priests and temple custodians.

The historical significance of the temple is further highlighted by an earlier inscription dated 1641 during the reign of Lakshmi Narasingh Malla, noted by Hutt. Although originally believed to have been located here, T.W. Clark, an inscription expert, indicates that the tablet might have been in a nearby Shiva temple in Makhan, leading to some ambiguity about its exact original location.