The ancient city of Patan, lying 5 km southeast of Kathmandu, is known as the city of fine arts. The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. The diversity of the medieval culture that allowed both Hinduism and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy of impressive sightseeing in this city for today’s visitors.
Patan Durbar Square
PatanPatan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of Lalitpur city. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its attractions is The Ancient Royal Palace where Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided.The Durbar Square is a marvel of Newa Architecture. The Square floor is tiled with red bricks. There are many temples and idols in the area. The main temples are aligned opposite of the western face of the palace. The entrance of the temples faces east, towards the palace. There is also a bell situated in the alignment beside the main temples. The Square also holds old Newari residential houses.
Watch allnepal in youtube.comThere are various other temples and structures in and around Patan Durbar Square build by the Newa people.
The Malla Kings did make important changes to the square. Most of the current architecture is from the 1600s, constructed during the reign of King Siddhinarasimha Malla and his son Srinivasa. Some of the notable Mallas Kings who improved the square include Purandarasimha, Shivashimmha Malla and Yoganarendra Malla.
Patan is one of the oldest know Buddhist City. It is a center of both Hinduism and Buddhism with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples. Most of these structures are in the vicinity of the Durbar Square.
Around Patan
Krishna Mandir
Krishna temple is the most important temple in Patan Durbar Square. It is built in the Shikhara style imported from India although it is unique in its own way.Built in the seventeenth century,the temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is suposed to be the first specimen Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and is completely made of stone.
The temple was built in 1637 by King Siddhinarasimha Malla. It is said that one night the King saw the gods Krishna and Radha standing in front of the royal palace. He ordered a temple to be built on the same spot. There are 21 golden pinnacles in the temple. Below the pinnacles are 3 stories. The first floor holds the main shrine of Krishna with shrines of Radha and Rukamani at each side. The second floor is dedicated to Shiva and the third to Lokeshwor, Lord Buddha. The square is crowded with thousands of Hindu Pilgrims and devotees during Krishna- Asthami.
Mahaboudha
A little further east from Patan Durbar Square lies this Buddhist temple made of clay bricks in which thousands of images of Lord Buddha engraved. The terra-cotta structure is one of the fourteenth century Nepalese architectural masterpieces
Rudra Varna Mahavihar
This unique Buddhist monastery con- tains fine and amazing collection of images and statues in metal, stone and wood. It is believed that the Kings in the ancient times were crowned in this monastery. Many of the treasures offered by the devotees can be seen here even today
The Ashoka Stupas
There are four ancient stupas popularly believed to have been built in 250 B.C. by Emperor Ashoka at the four corners of Patan. The four stupas are situated in Pulchowk, Lagankhel, Ebahi and in Teta respectively. These stupas give evidence to the city’s ancient religious importance. Read more about Ashoka Stupas by clicking here in details.
Patan Industrial Estate
Patan industrial Estate is situated at Lagankhel in Lalitpur (Patan) near Satdobato. This industrial Estate is well known for Nepali handicrafts such as wood carvings, metal crafts, carpets and thanka paintings. For the convenience of the tourists there is a shopping arcade where all the handicraft products of the Estate are exhibited in the shopping arcade.
Hiranya Verna Mahavihar
Located inside, Kwabadehal, this three storey golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha) was built in the twelfth century by King Bhaskar Verma. Inside the upper storey of the pagoda, are the gold- en image of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel.
Kumbheshwor
This fine tiered temple of Lord Shiva was built during the reign of King Jayasthiti Malla. A fair is held here on the Janai Poornima day in August.
Jagatnarayan Temple
Situated at Sankhmul, this tall, imposing temple of Lord Vishnu. The temple has many fine images of stone and an artistic metal statue of Garuda on a stone pillar.
Achheswor Mahavihar
It was established towards the beginning of the seventeenth century by one Achheshwor by building a temple to house and idol of Lord Buddha. The Mahavihar has recently been reconstructed. Situated behind the Ashokan Stupa at Pulchowk, the Mahavihar commands a beautiful view of the Kathmandu
Valley.
Temple of Machhendranath and Minnath
The pagoda of Red Machhendranath built in 1408 A.D. is situated in Tabahal. For six months the deity is taken to its other shrine in Bungmati. The temple of Minnath is situated in Tangal on the way to Tabahal.
The Zoo
Situated at Jawalakhel,the zoo has many animals, birds and reptiles in its collections mostly representing the Himalayan fauna. There is a beautiful pond built in 17th A.D.
Bajra Barahi
Situated in a small woodland park, it is about ten kilometers south of Patan near the village of Chapagaon. A visit to Tika Bhairav and Lele from here is worthwhile.
Godavari
Situated at the foothills of Phulchowki, Royal Botanical Garden has a splendid natural beauty. The road from Patan city runs to Godavari to the south-east, passing through the small, old towns of Harisiddhi, Thaiba and Badegaun. It is the only in Nepal, is open daily including Saturdays and government holidays.
Phulchowki
Located about ten kilometers south-east of Patan, this mountain, 2758 m. high, is a good spot for hiking. A Buddhist shrine is situated on the top of the hill which can be reached through a jeepable road.
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