The southeastern part of Bhaktapur's Royal Palace compound is taken up by the Palace of Fifty-Five Windows; which was the actual residence of the Bhaktapur kings. The three-storied building boasts some masterly carved doors and windows on its lower floors; and on the third floor there are 55 arcaded windows. In its original form; the upper floor projected out from the building; but after the 1934 earthquake it was reconstructed in the present style.

Inside the compound there is a golden water conduit; laid out in 1688; which brought in water from a source 11 kilometres away. The water was used for the daily ritual bathing of the image of goddess Taleju. Also fed by a subterranean water conduit was the Nag Pokhri; or 'Pond of the Nagas'; located at the northeastern corner of the temple complex and constructed during the reign of Jagatprakasha Malla (1743-1772). Pictures From Asia Rainer Krack