Sightseeings in Nepal

Patan Introduction Sightseeings in Patan Patan Museum Patan's Kumari Patan's Tourist Attractions

Patan: Tourist Attractions

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. It is known as the city of artists. The major visitors' attractions of Patan are:

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.

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 it's friezes.

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.

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.

Jawalakhel Handicraft 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.

Tibetan Refugee Camp

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Achheshwor Mahavihar

Accheshwor 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.

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.