One of the world heritage city is Patan, official name of the municipality is Lalitpur. Patan is often considered to be the oldest and most beautiful among the three royal cities Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley. It is best known for its finest traditional arts and crafts and its rich cultural heritage. The Patan Durbar Square is taken as the only monumental area in all three cities of the Kathmandu Valley that still outstands with its most magnificent architectural splendour and unique artistic beauty.
Patan has kept its cultural and its finest craft man ship alive even in the face of many social and political upheavals. Lalitpur is believed to have been founded in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty and later expanded by Lichhavis in the sixth century. It was further expanded by the Mallas during the medieval period.
The Chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath. It is the longest running chariot festival in the Kathmandu Valley. It is widely celebrated by both the Hindus and the Buddhists alike. The in built cultural heritage like the royal palace, with intricately carved doors and windows and beautiful courtyards adorned with exquisite icons enhance the beauty of the city. Such art pieces are found in stone, metal, terracotta ivory and other objects. All these art facts exhibit artistic excellence of the crafts men and the whole city looks like an open museum. Panoramic View of Patan Durbar Square as seen from the north-east corner of the square. The monument zone of Patan Durbar Square is one of the seven monument zone of Kathmandu Valley. The seven monument zones were included in the World Heritage List in 1979 as one integrated site. All these monument zones are declared as the protected monument zones according to the Monuments Preservation Act of 1956. For the restoration of public and private monument norms and standards determined by the Department of Archaeology as per the fixed norms of UNESCO/ ICOMOS. Patan monument zone is marked by marker stone placed at different points in the delineated area. A plaque has been put with the sing of World Heritage Centre.
Thing to See in Patan
Krishna Mandir, Patan, Nepal
Built in the seventeenth century, the temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and is completely made of stone.
Hiranya Verna Mahavihar, Nepal
Located inside kwabadehal, this three story golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha) was built in the twelfth century by king Bhaskar Verma. Inside the upper story of the pagoda, are the golden image of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel.
The Gloden Gate, Nepal
Golden gate is the entrance to the main countyard of the Palace of 55 windows. Built King Ranjit Malla, the Gate is one of the most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind in the entire world. This gate is embellished with deities and monsters of marvellous intricacy.
Kumbheshwor Temple, Nepal
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.
Rudra Varna Mahavihar, Nepal
This unique Buddhist monastery contains 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 Ashokan 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 (way to Sano Gaon) respectively. These stupas give evidence to the city’s ancient religious importance.
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.
Patan Industrial Estate, Nepal
Patan Industrial Estate is situated at Lagankhel in Lalitpur (Patan) near Sat Dobato. This Industrial Estate is well known for Nepali handicrafts such as wood carvings, metal crafts, carpets and thangka 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.
Mahaboudha, Nepal
A litle 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.
TIBETAN HANDICRAFT CENTER
This was originally set up as a Tibetan refugee camp but over the years, has been transformed by the refugees living there as a center for handicrafts. Things made here includes traditional crafts such as wooden masks, carpets, thankas, etc. Even today, these are all made in the same manner as they were made centuries ago.
