Dharahara Tower | Kathmandu

Information

Landmark: Dharahara Tower
City: Kathmandu
Country: Nepal
Continent: Asia

Dharahara Tower, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Dharahara Tower, also known as Bhimsen Stambha, is a historic landmark located in Sundhara, Kathmandu. Originally built in 1832 as a military watchtower, it has been destroyed and reconstructed multiple times due to seismic activity, most notably following its total collapse in the 2015 Gorkha earthquake.

Visual Characteristics

The current tower is a 22-story, white cylindrical structure standing 72 meters tall (82 meters including the golden pinnacle). Its design blends Mughal and neoclassical styles, featuring a series of arched windows and a wide observation deck on the 20th floor. The base of the original 19th-century tower has been preserved under tempered glass as a memorial adjacent to the new structure.

Location & Access Logistics

The tower is situated in Sundhara, approximately 1.5 kilometers south of the Thamel district and 1 kilometer east of Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is highly accessible via public buses heading to "Sundhara" or "New Road" and is a 15-minute walk from the city center. The complex includes a triple-basement parking facility for 400 four-wheelers and 700 motorcycles.

Historical & Ecological Origin

First commissioned by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa under the order of Queen Lalit Tripurasundari in 1832, it was designed as a watchtower from which bugles were blown to assemble soldiers. After collapsing in the 1934 and 2015 earthquakes, the current reinforced concrete structure was completed in 2021 with earthquake-resistant technology capable of withstanding a magnitude 8.0 tremor.

Key Highlights & Activities

The primary activity is ascending to the 20th-floor viewing deck for a 360-degree panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding mountain ranges. The complex also houses a museum showcasing artifacts from the original tower, a mint museum, and a memorial park dedicated to the victims of the 2015 earthquake. Two modern elevators provide access to the upper floors.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The 42-ropani (approx. 2.1-hectare) complex includes a musical fountain, landscaped gardens, a food court, and souvenir shops. Public restrooms and water stations are available on-site. 4G/5G cellular coverage is consistent throughout the premises. Entry fees are tiered, with higher rates for non-SAARC international tourists (approx. 1,000 NPR as of late 2025).

Best Time to Visit

The tower is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Early morning (10:00–11:30) is optimal for avoiding crowds and for clear photography of the Himalayas. Late afternoon provides soft lighting for cityscapes. The site is particularly crowded on public holidays and Constitution Day (September 19).

Facts & Legends

While it appears as a 22-story building from the outside, the interior utilizes a smaller number of functional floors to maintain the traditional minaret proportions. A historical tradition dictates that the tower’s purpose was to summon people to Tundikhel, the nearby military parade ground, for government announcements; this role ended only with the tower's 2015 collapse.