In the late 18th century CE; Rana Bahadur Shah; the grandson of Prithvi Narayan Shah; built a Shiva-Parvati Temple on Durbar Square; which was also; in a way; to become a monument to the joys鈥攐r vagaries鈥攐f married life.

The temple; built on a platform formerly used for dance performances; is dedicated to the divine couple Shiva and Parvati. From an arched; carved window in its upper storey two wooden figures representing Shiva and Parvati look down on the square below. The figures are extraordinarily life-like; and from a distance one may almost be fooled. Their elbows casually rest on the windowsill; and the couple appears the very image of wedded bliss. Pictures From Asia Rainer Krack