Trip Introduction: Patan Day Tour
Patan, also known as Lalitpur, is one of the major cities of Nepal. In Sanskrit, Lalitpur translates as “City of Beauty” due to its deep-rooted connection to craftsmanship, woodwork, metalwork, and stone carving.
Similarly, the Lalitpur district is located across the Bagmati River in the south-central side of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. The bridge that spans the holy Bagmati River separates Patan from Kathmandu, but the town is supposedly part of the Kathmandu Valley.
Lalitpur is home to the famous Patan, or Lalitpur, Durbar Square, one of Nepal's three main Durbar squares. The Durbar Square is an architectural marvel listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands tall for its stunning architectural designs, intricate carvings, and rich cultural heritage.
With historical importance, Patan Durbar Square is a living treasure consisting of temples, palaces, sculptures, traditional crafts, and artifacts. The place also holds a unique position for showcasing Newari architecture. The Newari community consists of the local inhabitants of Patan city, who have established and preserved this heritage since prehistoric times.
As Patan City is of utmost importance for cultural and religious purposes, many visitors from all around the world visit Nepal for the sole purpose of visiting Lalitpur. The vibrant tradition has made it one of Nepal's most fascinating places, providing visitors with a unique experience.
Likewise, the best time to visit Lalitpur city is all year round, with every day bringing different experiences. However, the best seasons to visit Lalitpur are spring and autumn, which provide comfortable weather conditions for the day tour. Additionally, Lalitpur is a cultural hub with numerous festivals celebrated here. Some notable festivals that stand out are the Rato Machhindranath Jatra, Bungamati Jatra, Gai Jatra, Bisket Jatra, and Indra Jatra. These festivals also fall during the best season to visit Lalitpur.
Highlights of Patan City Tour
- Explore the Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Get insights into the art, architecture, and history of the Malla era.
- Explore Patan Durbar Square's architectural marvels, including the Taleju Bell, Krishna Mandir, Bhimsen Temple, and Khumbeshwor.
- Witness the three chowks or courtyards of Lalitpur Durbar Square and the famous Patan Museum.
- Visit the Newari traditional villages of Bungmati and Khokana and understand Newari culture and traditions.
- Visit the bustling market of Mangal Bazaar to find traditional crafts, souvenirs, and local delicacies.
- Blend in to see various Jatras and celebrations during festive times, including Rato Machindranath Jatra.
History of Patan
Emperor Ashoka is believed to have founded the Lalitpur district in 249 BC, and the Malla dynasty further expanded it during the medieval period. It is also said that King Veer Deva founded Lalitpur in 299 A.D., but the true origin of the city is unknown. However, many historical records suggest Lalitpur to be the oldest city in the Kathmandu Valley.
Additionally, the history of Patan Durbar Square is also not clear. The establishment of Durbar Square is credited to the Malla Kings, but the Pradhans who settled in the area before the Malla Kings also have some connection with it. Similarly, some stories also suggest that the Thakuri dynasty built the palace.
Likewise, built by King Ashoka in 250 BC, the Buddhist stupas complete the Patan Durbar Square premises. Around the durbar are more than 600 stupas, 136 courtyards, and 55 significant temples, making it one of the prominent places to visit in Nepal.
Popular attractions in the Patan Durbar Square:
Major temples and monuments of Patan Durbar Square are as follows:
Taleju Bell:
King Vishnu Malla made the Taleju bell in the 17th century. It can be seen hanging between two pillars when entering from the south side of the durbar. The bell can also be identified from the ticket counter. Similarly, local shops and vendors have books, coffee, snacks, etc.
Hari Shankar Temple:
The Harishankar temple is a three-story structure dedicated to the Hindu deity Hari Shankar, representing half Vishnu and half Shiva. Rudramati, the sister of King Yoga Narendra Malla, constructed it. The temple is carved with the tortures one faces in hell after death. The 2015 earthquake that took place in Nepal destroyed it.
Yoga Narendra’s Statue
The stone pillar near the Jwala Narasimha Temple represents the statue of King Yoga Narendra Malla. King Yoga Narendra Malla supposedly erected it along with the statue of his son Siddhi Narsingh Malla II. The stone pillar encrypts the king's final words: “I will live till the bird on my statue flies away.”
Jagan Narayan Temple
The two-story Jaggannarayan temple is the oldest in the Lalitpur Durbar Square. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Narayan and is also known as the Char Narayan temple. However, the 2015 earthquake destroyed it.
Krishna Mandir
The temple was built in the 17th century in Shikhara style by King Siddhi Narshing Malla. The myth behind the temple construction is that King Siddhi Narshing Malla one night dreamt that the gods Krishna and Radha were standing before the palace. Seeing this, he immediately ordered the construction to be done in the exact location. Additionally, the temple consists of three stories: the first is dedicated to Krishna, the second to Shiva as a form of linga, and the third consists of Lokeshwor. Another fascinating thing about the temple is that it has 21 golden pinnacles and is made up of a single massive rock, making it one of the most notable structures in the square.
Vishwanath Temple
The Vishwanath temple is located opposite the Manga Hiti. It is guarded by two giant elephants at the front entrance and a bull’s idole at the other side. The temple dates back to 1627 and was built during the reign of King Siddhinarshing Malla. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a lingam inside. The temple also suffered some wreckage during the 2015 earthquake, but the renovation is complete.
Bhimsen Temple
The Bhimsen temple is situated on the northern side of Patan Durbar Square, which was built in 1680 by King Srinivasa Malla. The rectangular structured temple is dedicated to Bhimsen, one of the Mahabharata's five Pandavas.
Golden Temple
This Buddhist temple is located on the northern side of Lalitpur Durbar Square, also known as Hiranya Varna Mahavihara. The establishment of the Golden Temple dates back to the 12th century. The temple's entrance consists of elephants, and shoes and leather clothes are prohibited. In the center of the temple is the statue of Sakyamuni, which has a golden roof and pinnacle.
Kumbeshwar
The five-story temple of Kumbeshwar is located 4-5 minutes north of the golden temple. The Kumbeshwar temple is also known as Bangalamukhi, where King Jayasthiti Malla built a two-story structure around the 14th century, and King Srinivasa Malla built another three-story structure during the 17th century. Similarly, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati, and a large bull is placed facing the temple. Likewise, there are two ponds inside the temple complex where the water for the ponds is brought from Gosaikunda Lake.
Patan Museum
The Patan Museum is located inside the Keshav Narayan Chowk and was inaugurated by Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 1997, making it the first museum open to the public. The museum's entrance consists of golden name tags from the list of deities. The Patan Museum consists of various segments of galleries that house ancient woodwork, handicrafts, metalworks, and many other ancient histories of Lalitpur. Similarly, there are various photos of 19th and 20th-century Patan. On the other hand, there is a small café inside the museum suitable for tea and coffee or buying gifts and souvenirs.
The three courtyards around Patan Durbar Square are as follows:
Keshab Narayan Chowk
The Keshav Narayan Chowk is the youngest of the three courtyards and is located in the northern part of the royal palace, accessed by the Golden Gate. The center of Chowk is home to the Keshab Narayan temple, and the Patan Museum is situated alongside the temple.
Sundari Chowk
The Sundari Chowk is the smallest of the three and the first to be reached while entering the Durbar Square. King Siddhi Narsingh Malla built the courtyard in 1647. The entrance consists of three idols: Hanuman, Narasingha, and Ganesh.
Mul Chowk
Mulchowk is the central courtyard of Patan Durbar Square and one of the most prominent among the three chowks. It is located between Keshab Narayan and Sundari Chowk. The Chowk was rebuilt in 1665 after being destroyed by fire in 1662. In the courtyard's center, the Taleju and Vidya temples are housed. Similarly, the Degutale temple, which stands five stories tall, lies in the northeast part of the courtyard.
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