The Balaju Water Garden (Balaju Bai Dhara) is a royal Malla garden in the northwestern part of Kathmandu, containing 22 stone waterspouts shaped like makara (mythical sea creatures) that discharge water into a ceremonial bathing tank. The tank is still used for ritual bathing, particularly on the festival of Balaju Snan — a day when thousands of devotees come to bathe in the spring-fed water. A large reclining Vishnu figure (Budhanilkantha-style, though smaller than the famous original) lies in the garden's main tank.
The garden is quieter than the major monuments and gives a pleasant sense of the Malla-period approach to landscape and sacred water. The swimming pool nearby (modern) is unrelated to the historic site. The garden is a 20-minute taxi ride from Thamel.