English: In front of the Gaddi Baithak and to the west of Trailokya Mohan, stands the majestic three-storeyed temple of Maju Dega. It has a nine-step brick base which gives it an impressive height that almost dominates the Kathmandu Durbar Square skyline. After the temple of Taleju and Degu Taleju, Maju Dega is the tallest and the largest temple in the Durbar Square area.

This temple was built in 1692 by Queen Mother Riddhi Laxmi (mother of infant King Bhupatendra Malla) and hence its name Maju Dega or Temple of Queen Mother. Of all the temples constructed in the storeyed style, Maju Deval remains so far the most remarkable one. The wooden doorway, columns, windows and struts are all beautifully carved. Inside the temple, there is an enormous shiva linga, the emblem of Lord Shiva.

The lower level has the appearance of a columned porch much like the Trailokya Mohan temple. The main entrance is on the eastern side. If you climb the steps to reach the temple base, you would have been greeted with an extraordinary view of the Kathmandu city before the tall modern buildings were built. This is a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike to sit and observe the activity in the square.

In front of the temple and on the ground, there is a small white temple constructed in “shikhar” style or in the shape of a mountain. The temple itself has no icons but attached to the back-wall is a stone sculpture to Chhatra Chandeshwor – a sage and a proponent of Shaivism. The locals worship him as Kamadev, the god of human love [hanumandhoka.gov.np]