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Patan (Lalitpur) - Nepal
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Patan (Lalitpur):
This ancient city is located on the southern bank of the
holy Bagmati River and is approximately five kilometers
south east of the capital. The whole city is full of
Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples with the fine
bronze gateways marvelous status, guardians deities and
magnificent carvings including stone carving ,metal
carving and woodcarving. Well noted for its gorgeous
craftsmen and metal workers it is often known as the
city of superb artists. The majority of the citizens
follow the Buddhist faith. |
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Places of interest in Patan: |
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Durbar Square Patan.
This Royal Palace Complex built during the Malla period
and stood as the capital part till the 17th century.
Situated in the heart of the city, it constitutes the
salient focus of an alien visitor's attraction. The
square is built of ancient palaces temples, shrines and
statues noted for their exquisite carvings. We owe all
these grandeurs to the sovereign Malla dynasty. The last
of the Malla dynasty was late King Tej Narsingh Malla.
There include three main courtyards, the first being the
Kasha Narayan Chowk which we have gotten to enter
through the Golden Gate and under the Golden Window the
second being the Taleju Bhavani Chowk; and the third
being the Sundari Chowk carrying the Royal Bath called
Tushahity. The single stone pillar on which sits late
King Yog Narendra Malla facing the Taleju Bhavani Temple
to the cardinal direction of east and the Gigantic Bell
to its right are also worth mentioning.
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Krishna Temple.
Built in the sixteenth century by late King Siddhi
Narsingh Malla, this temple is made of pure stone. It is
a marvelous structure constructed completely out of
stone, It is a marvelous structure constructed
completely out of stone, except for the few pinnacles or
the spires adjusted out of metal. The carvings on its
friezes depict battle scenes from the ancient Hindu
epics of South Asia, the Ramayan and the Maha-Bharat in
particular. Opposite remains the single stone pillar
with a Garud sitting on paying decent homage to Lord
Krishna. |
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Kumbeshwor. This
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built during
the peaceful reign of late King Jayasthiti Malla. The
particular deity it houses is Kumveshwor Mahadev and the
five-storied pagoda temple was constructed in sheer
competition with the five-storied pagoda temple of
Bhaktapur. Later in 1932 a golden finial was
supplemented. |
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Jagat Narayan Temple.
This is a tall imposing Hindu temple belonging to
Lord Bishnu, constructed out of attractive red bricks.
It is situated in Sankhamul Ghat, which rests on the
band of the holy Bagmati River. The temple contains
numerous fine images in stone and an artistic metal
statue of Garud on a stone pillar in this case also.
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Karunamaya Temple.
This is a Buddhist pagoda solely dedicated to Lord
Avaloketeshwor. Built in 1408, it is located in a large
quadrangle called Tah Bahal, Also referred to as Red
Karunamaya, the idol remains housed here for 12
fortnights and is highly worshipped by Tibetan,
Sikkimese, Ladakhan and Bhutanese Buddhists as well.
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The Ashokan Stupas.
There exist four ancient Buddhist Stupas popularly
believed to have been built in 250 B.C. by Emperor Ashok.
The great Hindu emperor of north India later happened to
take refuge in the Buddha and embrace the Dharma, The
neat grassy Stupas expose their beauty at each of the
four corners of Patan. They give evidence to the
chaitya's ancient religious ancient religious importance
and proudly support the sound proof of Ashok's unanimous
visit to the Himalayan Kingdom. |
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The Tibetan Refugee
Center. This is a busy Tibetan settlement with a
Mahayan Buddhist monastery. Running a woolen carpet
industry is today a big responsible job of the Tibetan
society. "Jawalakhel Handicraft Center Pvt. Ltd." is a
typical pioneer Tibetan carpet manufacturer the factory
of which stands the biggest in Lalitpur district. It is
an extremely interesting place where one can keenly
observe the technical process of spinning, dyeing and
weaving of Shangri-La rugs performed by perfect Tibetan
hands. |
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The National Zoo.
The only public zoo of the valley lies in the premises
of Jawalakhel. A wide colossal compound with a pond in
the middle, it contains numerous animals. Birds and
reptiles mostly representing the Himalayan alpine fauna.
It sure makes an enchanting area for zoological
study-men and liberal holidaymakers. On the day of
Jawala- Bhoe or Voto - Jatra, it is a great picnic spot.
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Patan
Museum. Located in the palace complex of Patan
Durbar Square, the Patan Museum is a house to some of
the unique medieval works in bronze. The earliest
specimens date back Lichhavi period. Most of the
exhibits are deities from the Buddhist pantheon like
images of Buddhas and Lokeswore. And in the lesser
number, there are icons from Hindu pantheon like Vishnu
and other deities. |
| Places of interest
around Patan:
Godavari-Phulchowki |
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