Patan Tour

Patan Tour

"This city also is known as Patan, once as independent Newar kingdom before the Shah dynasty took over, is best known for its finest traditional crafts and rich artistic heritage."

Some eight kilometers south of central Kathmandu situated on a plateau across the Bagmati River is a lovely little city called Lalitpur, the city of fine arts. 
This city of Lalitpur divided into 22 municipal wards and is inhabited by approx 200,000 people. A substantial portion of its population is engaged in various trades, especially in traditional handicrafts and cottage industries. Lalitpur is fast is the only town in entire Nepal
That has produced the highest number of most talented artists and the finest craftsmen recorded in Nepalese art history. The most famous Newar artists and master craftsmen, like Arniko, Abhay Raj and siddhi Raj, were all born in Lalitpur.

It is said that the city was designed and built after the Buddhist Dharma Chakra
(the wheel of righteousness). It is surrounded by four big stupas- each of the four main stupas in cardinal points. It is believed that these monuments were built by the Indian Emperor Ashoka when he came to Kathmandu Valley on his pilgrimage tour some 22,50 years ago. When we look at the shape and size of these stupas, in many ways they seem to breathe their antiquity in a real remote past. It is interesting to note that there are more than 1,200 Buddhist monuments of various shapes and sizes scattered in and around this city alone. However, the most important monumental center of this city is, of course, Patan Durbar square, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
 
A British traveler precibal London was highly impressed by the sight of this beautiful square wrote way back in 1928 ‘As an ensemble, the Durbar in Patan probably remains the most picturesque collection of buildings that have been set up in so small a place by the piety of oriental man”.
 
In fact, Patan Durbar Square is the only monumental area among all three cities of Kathmandu Valley that still outstands with its rich architectural splendor and unique artistic beauty. Patan, in its long chequered history, has undergone many sociopolitical upheavals. Even so, this lovely little city seems to have fairly well preserved its glorious cultural heritage and the history of its finest craftsmanship.
 
In 299 A.D, Lalitpur said to be have founded by King Veer Deva and has its many old names such as Yala, Yupagram, Lalitpatan, and Mangal. According to several historical records plus many other legends also indicate that Patan is the oldest of all three cities of Kathmandu Valley.

Trip Highlights

• Patan Durbar Square
• Golden Temple
• Kumbheshwar Temple
• Rudravarana Mahavir
• Mahabouddha Temple
• Machhendranath Temple

PATAN DURBAR SQUARE
Patan Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city attracts the focus of visitors. The square is full of ancient monuments, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite craftsmanship and architectural beauty. One can explore for treasures in the various shops around the square.

GOLDEN TEMPLE
This three-story golden pagoda of Shakyamuni (Lord Buddha) was Built in the 12^th century by King Bhaskar Berman. It is located in the courtyard of Kwabhal. Inside the upper story of this pagoda, placed on the pedestal, are the elite images of Amoghpash Lokeshwor and a large prayer wheel. There is a wealth of gems like beautiful carvings on its walls and paintings depicting a complete life history of Buddha.
 
KUMBHESHWOR 
Kumbheshwor temple in Patan and Nyatapola temple in Bhaktapur are the only temples in the valley with five roofs, with the exception of the round five-tiered Pancha Muni Hanuman of Kathmandu’s Hanuman Dhoka palace. This temple of Lord Shiva was built during the reign of King Jayasiddhi Mall. Latera golden finial was added to it. A religious fair is held here on the Janai Purnima day in August.
 
THE ASHOKA STUPAS
There are four ancient stupas at the four corners of Patan, believed to have been built in 250 B.C. by Emperor Ashoka. Their stupas are situated in Pulchwok, Lagankhel, Ebahi(on the way to sankhamul and teta (on the way to Lubu Sano Gaon) respectively. These stupas are evidence of the city’s ancient religious importance.
 
JAGAT NARAYAN TEMPLE
It is a tall, imposing temple of Lord Vishnu in red brick, situated on the bank of the Bagmati river(sankhamul), the temple has many fine images of stone and an artistic metal statue of Garuda in stone pillar right in front.
 
JYAPU ACADEMY CENTRE
Jay samajh, Yala has its own indigenous and artistic Jyapu Academy Centre “Jyapu Pragya Bhawan” at Ward No. 9, Bholadhoka. It was established in order to play a positive role in society building activities. Uniting and managing 40 indigenous jyapu Toles of Lalitpur City area. An ethnic museum has already been launched on the upper basement floor with a wide collection of artifacts, objects, and materials of typical rituals, the tradition of various nationalities and Newar of Nepal including indigenous Juapus. The life-size models with the identity of indigenous nationalities from the eastern to western Himalayas and Terai area also on display. These are different models reflecting the culture, traditions, the monthly celebrated festivals, the historical artifacts, objects, costumes, musical instruments applied since the birth until death long in the newer community are beautifully displayed in this museum.
 
MAHA BOUDDHA
About 10 minutes walk from Patan Durbar Square lies this Buddhist temple made of high-quality bricks in which thousands of images of Lord Buddha were engraved. The terracotta structure is one of the 14th-century Nepalese architectural masterpieces. It was constructed by an architect named Avaya Raj.
 
RUDRA BARANA MAHABIHAR
This unique Buddhist monastery complex contains an amazing collection of five images and statues in metal, stone, and wood. Many Kings in ancient times were crowned in this monastery. Even these days many treasures offered by the devotees can be seen here.
 
TEMPLES OF RED MACHHENDRANATH AND MINNATHE
The temple of red Machhendranath, built in 1408 A.D. is situated at tabahal, Red Machhendranath also was known as Avalikiteshwor is housed here in for six months another six months in Bungamati, the temple of Minnath is situated at Tangal, which is supposed to be older than the temple of Red Machhendranath.
 
ACCHESHWOR MAHABIHAR
It was established towards the beginning of the 6^th century to house an idol of Lord Buddha. The Mahabihar was reconstructed not too long ago. It has altogether 30 rooms in this complex including, ”Dhyankuti” research room, training room, library, review room, guests room, and so on. Situated behind the Ashoka Stupa at Pulchwok, the Mahavira Commands a beautiful view of the Kathmandu Valley.

KRISHNA MANDIR
This temple of Lord Krishna built in the 17^th century by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla holds a commanding position in the Durbar Square of Patan, it is supposed to be the first specimen of the shikhara-style temple all made in stone. It is the only temple on Nepal having 21 golden pinnacles. Most of the important scenes from the ancient Hindu epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata have been engraved on its friezes.
 
THE MAIN CHOWKS
The ancient Royal Palace is the main attraction of Patan Durbar Square. It consists of three main chwok (courtyards): Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, and Mani Kesav Narayan Chwok. In the northern corner of the Mul Chowk is the three stories octagonal temple of Taleju Bhawani Built By King Shree Niwas Malla in 1667. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone sculptures popularly known as Royal bath. Between the central Mul Chowk and Mani Keshab Narayan Chowk lies a temple of  Degu Taleju Lookin out onto the main square.