Patan

Patan is also one of the best places in valley. it is separated from Kathmandu by the Bagmati river. It is second largest town in the valley. It has historically been known by the name of yala and Lalitpur, the latter of which means city of beauty. Patan has a long Buddhist history and the four corner of the city are marked by Stupas said to have been erected by the great Buddhist emperor Asoka around 250 BC. Later inscriptions refer to palaces in the city in the 5th century AD, although Patans great building boom took palaces under the king Malla in the 16th to 18th centuries. Patans central durbar square is packed with temples, with a far greater concentration of architecture per square metre then Kathmandu or Bhaktapur numerous other temples of widely diverse style, as well as many Buddhist monasteries are scattered around the fascinating old town. Patan makes a great trip from Kathmandu. It is possible to stay overnight here although is so close to Kathmandu that its not really necessary.

Patan Durbar Square forms the heart of Patan, from here four main road lead to the Ashok Stupas. Jawlakhel to the southwest of the city has major Tibetan population and is the centre for carpet weaving in the valley. Buses from Kathmandu drops you at Patan Dhoka , the original entrance to the city, about 15 minute walk from durbar square

Place to visit in Patan
Golden temple:- sometimes it was known as the Kwa bahal or Suwarna Mahavihara. This Monastery is just north of durbar square. Legends relate that the monastery was founded in the 12th century. Although the earliest record of its existence is 1509. From the street, a sign points to the monastery, entered through a doorway flanked by painted guardian lion figures, giving no hint of magnificent structure within. The large rectangular building has three roofs and a copper gilded facade. inside the shrine are images of the Buddha and Avalo Kiteshvara, a stairway leads up to the 1st floor, where monks will show you the various Tibetan style frescoes that illustrated the walls. The life of the Buddha illustrated in a frieze that you will see in front of the main shrine. The inner courtyard has a railed walkway around three sides. shoes and other leather articles most be removed if you leave the walkway and enter the inner courtyard in the centre of the courtyard is a small, richly decorated temple with golden roof that has an extremely ornate

Patan Durbar Square:- As in Kathmandu, the ancient royal palace of Patan faces on to a royal square and this concentrated mass of temples in undoubtedly the most visually stunning display of Newari architecture to be seen in Nepal. The rectangular square has its longer axis running approximately north south and the palace from the eastern side of the square. A continuous row of temples in widely divers styles faces the palace on the western site.

Krishna Temple:-  Continuing in to the Patan durbar square, the third temple you reach is the Krishna temple which is dedicated to god Krishna and was built by king Siddhinarsingh Malla. Record indicate that the temple was completed with the installation of the image on the 1st floor in 1637 with its strong Mughal influences, this stone temple is clearly of Indian design, unlike the nearby brick and timber, multi roofed Newari Temple. The 1st and second floor of the temple is made up of line pavilions, from the top of which rises a Shikhara style spire. Musicians can often be heard playing up stairs. Krishna is an incarnation of God Vishnu so the Gods vehicle, the Manbird Garuda, Neels with folded arms on top of a column facing the temple. The stone carvings alone the beam above the 1st floor pillars recount events of the Mahabharat, while on the 2nd floor here are scenes from the Ramayan. Non Hindus are not allowed inside.

Patan museum :- Patan museum is one of the best museum. This is a part of the palace around Keshav Narayan chock has been superbly renovated and house one of the subcontinents finest museums. The main feature of the museum is an outstanding collection of cast bronze and gilt-copper work. Mostly of Hindu and Buddhist deities. There are some fascinating photo of Patan at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Rato Machhendranath Temple:- South of Durbar Square on the western side of the road, is the Rato Machhendranath Temple. Rato Machhendranath, the God of rain and plenty, comes in variety of incarnations. To Buddhists he is the tantric edition of avalokiteshvara, while to Hindu he is another version of God Shiva. Standing in a large courtyard, the three storey temple dates from 1673, although an earlier temple may have existed on the site since 1408. Occurring on a 12 years cycle the procession continues out of Patan to the village of Bungmati, 5 km to the south. Dragging the heavy chariot along this Bumpy

Zoo:- Nepals only one zoo is in the southwestern part of Patan. Just north of Jwalakhel. it includes a reasonably extensive collection of Nepali wildlife, Including Rhinos, tiger, leopards, monkeys and birds. While it is another depressing animal prison.

GODAVARI: Situated at the foothills of Pulchowki, this place has splendid natural beauty. The road from Patan city runs to Godavari to the southeast, passing through the small, old towns of Harisiddhi, Thaiba, and Badegaon. A holy place in Nepal, it is also a good picnic spot amid dense forests. It is the site of the only Royal Botanical Garden in Nepal. A fish hatchery and a marble quarry also are located here.

PULCHOWKI: Located around ten kilometers southeast of Patan, this mountain, 2759 meters high, is a good spot for hiking. Rhododendrons of different varieties and colors from pure white to dark red are found here. A Buddhist shrine is situated on the top of the hill which can be reached via a motor able road.