Kasthamandap

To the west of Hanumandhoka lies the huge three roofed sturcture build on "Mandap" design. This building is known as Kasthamandap and is supposed to have been built around 262 Nepal era. The name of the city of Kathmandu is derived form Kasthamandap. It is popularly known as Marusattal. There is a statue of Gorkhanath on the gorund floor.

During the reign of King Narsingha Malla, on the occasion of the festival of Machhendra Nath, "Kalpabriksha"(divine tree) had come to watch the festival but one priest recognized and caught him. The priest released Kalpabriksha who promised to send a big Sal tree, four days later the huge tree arrived. The priest, with permission from the king, cut the tree and built the structure. As it was made from the timber of one single tree it was named Kasthamandap, and so the name of Kathmandu. And the excess timber of the big sal tree was used to build the Singha Sattal near to Kasthamandap.

As there was a system of establishing a spout next to such structures, the "Maruhiti" in the west may have relation to Kasthamandap. In every 12 years the tradition of exchanging the sword of "Pachali Bhairab" and the ruling monarch takes place in front of Kasthamandap.