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Rani
Pokhari (Nepali: रानी
पोखरी)
meaning
queen's
pond,
originally
known
as Nhu
Pukhu (Nepal
Bhasa|
न्हू
पुखू)
meaning
new
pond,
is
a
historic
artificial
pond
located
in
the
heart
of Kathmandu. The
square-shaped
tank
dates
from
the
17th
century,
and
was
built
on
the
eastern
side
of
the
then
city
limits.
It
lies
just
outside
a
former
city
gate.
The
pond
is
one
of
Kathmandu's
most
famous
landmarks
and
is
known
for
its
religious
and
aesthetic
significance.
Its
dimensions
are
180m
by
140m.
Rani
Pokhari
was
built
in
1670
AD
by
King Pratap
Malla,
one
of
the
most
illustrious
monarchs
of
the Malla
dynastythat
ruled Nepal for
more
than
600
years.
Pratap
Malla
had
the
tank
constructed
to
console
his
queen
who
was
distraught
with
grief
after
their
son
was
trampled
to
death
by
an
elephant.
He
had
water
collected
from
various
holy
places
and
river
confluences
in Nepal and India like Gosaikunda, Muktinath, Badrinath, Kedarnath and
poured
into
the
pond
to
sanctify
it.
A
temple
dedicated
to
Matrikeshwor
Mahadev,
a
form
of
the
Hindu
deity Shiva,
stands
at
the
center
of
the
pond.
It
is
reached
from
the
street
by
a
causeway.
A
large
stone
statue
of
an
elephant
bearing
the
images
of
Pratap
Malla
and
his
two
sons
Chakravartendra
Malla
and
Mahipatendra
Malla
is
situated
on
the
tank's
southern
embankment.
The
pond
is
recharged
by
water
flowing
in
through
an
underground
channel.
There
are
four
smaller
temples
situated
at
the
four
corners
of
the
pond: Bhairava temples
in
the
northwest
and
northeast,
Mahalaxmi
Temple
in
the
southeast
and GaneshTemple
in
the
southwest.
The
temples
on
the
eastern
side
now
lie
within
the
compounds
of Tri
Chandra
College and
a
police
station
which
has
undermined
their
cultural
importance.
Rani
Pokhari
is
fenced
with
iron
bars
and
opened
once
a
year
during
Bhai
Tika,
the
fifth
and
final
day
of
the Tihar,
and Chhath festival.
The
world's
largest Chhath festival
takes
place
every
year
in
RaniPokhari.
Rani
is
also
dedicated
to
(Nepalese
Maithil)
Women
who
go
into
the
cold
water
and
pray
to
the
Sun
God.