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Nepal Tourist Destinations |
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The
ancient city of Patan is situated on the southern bank of Bagmati River
and is about 5 km far from Kathmandu City. The City is full of Hindu Temples
and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful
carvings/ Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, it is known as the
city of artists. The major visitors' attractions of Patan are:
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Durbar
Square |
Patan
Durbar Square is situated in the heart of the city, the main tourist attraction.
The Square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines noted for their
exquisite carvings. One can rummage for treasures and souvenirs in the
various shops around the Square. The main attraction of Patan Durbar Square
is the ancient Royal Palace itself. It consists three main courtyards such
as Mul chowks, Sundari chowks and Keshab Narayan chowks. In the northeastern
corner of the courtyard is a triple roofed octagonal tower, Taleju Bhawani
Temple built by King Shree Niwash Malla in 1667. Degu Taleju is in between
Mul Chowks and Keshav Naarayan Chowks.
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Krishna
Mandir |
Built
by Siddhi Narshing Malla in 17th century. The temple of Lord Krishna holds
a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is the only temple
Nepal to have 21 shrines and completely made of stone. Most of the important
scenes from the ancient Hindu epics the Ramayana and Mahabharat have been
engraved on its friezes.
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Mahaboudha |
A
little further from Patan Durbar Square lies this Buddhist temple made
of bricks in which thousands of image of Lord Buddha are engraved. The
Terracotta structure is a 14th century Nepalese architectural masterpiece.
An architect named Avay Raj constructed it.
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Hirayna
Verna Mahavihar |
King
Bhaskar Verma built this three-story golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha)
in the twelfth century. It is located in the courtyard of Kwabahal. Inside
the upper story of the pagoda, placed on a pedestal, are golden images
of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel. There are a wealth of gem-like
carvings on its walls and a complete life history of Buddha in gold relief.
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Jawalakhel
Handicraf Center |
This
carpet factory is managed by the Tibetan Refugee and is a place where one
can see the entire process of spinning, dying and weaving Tibetan design
wool carpets. The center also has a well-shocked show room for carpet purchasing.
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Patan
industrial estate |
It
is in Lagankhel and is known as Nepali handicrafts such as wood - carving,
metal craft, carpets and Thanka paintings. It is very interesting to see
how these goods are made in the different workshop. For the visitors'
convenience, there is a shopping arcade with in the premises of the industrial
estate.
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Kumbheshwor |
Kumbeshwor
temple in Patan and Nyatapol temple in Bhaktapur are the only five- storied
temples in the Valley, with the exception of the round five-tiered Pancha
Mukhi Hanuman of Katmandu's Hanuman Dhoka Palace. This temple for Lord
Shiva was expanded during the reign of King Jayasthiti Malla but originally
constructed in 1392. A fair is held here on the Janal Purnima day in August.
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Jagat
Narayan Temple |
This
is a tall imposing temple of Lord Vishnu in red brick. Situated on the
bank of the Bagmati River, the temple has many fine images of stone and
an artistic metal statue of Garuda on a stone pillar.
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Rudra
Varna Mahavihar |
This
unique Buddhist monastery contains a collection of images and statues in
metal, stone, and wood. In ancient times, kings were crowned in this monastery.
Many of the treasures offered by kings' devotees could be seen here even
today.
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The
Ashokan Stupa |
There
are four ancient stupas, popularly believed to have been built in 250 B.
C. by Emperor Ashokan, at the Four Corners of Patan. The four stupas are
located in Pulchowk, Lagankhel, Ebahi (way to Shankhamul), and in Teat
(way to Sano Gaon) respectively. This stupa gives evidence to the city's
ancient religious importance.
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Achheshwor
Mahavihar |
Achheshwor
who built a temple to house an idol of Lord Buddha established this temple
towards the beginning of the seventeenth century. The Mahavihar has recently
been reconstructed. It has 30 rooms including a monastery, "Dhyankuti"
research area, training area, library, review rooms, and guest rooms. Situated
behind the Ashokan Stupa at Pulchowk, the Mahavihar commands a beautiful
view of the Kathmandu Valley.
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Temples
of Machchhindra Nath and Min Nath |
The
pagoda of Red Machchhendra Nath, also known as Avalokiteshwor and Adinath
Lokeshwor, is housed here for six months each year. For the remaining six
months, the idol is taken to its shrine in Bungmati. The temple of Min
Nath is situated in Tentgal, on the way to Tabahal. The temple of Min Nath
is thought to be older than the temple of Red Machchhendra Nath.
| Source: Courtesy of
Association for Tourism, Nepal |
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