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Valley Tour
PATAN DURBAR SQUARE:
 Patan
is probably one of the oldest Buddhist cities in the world. It is
believed that the city was founded in the 3rd century A.D. Patan
is situated on a plateau across Bagmati river. The city is famous
for its finest traditional crafts and rich artistic heritage.
Patan is designed and built after Buddhist Dharma Chakra. It is
surrounded by 4 Stupas in 4 corners of Patan, one at each corner
of its cardinal points. These stupas are said to have been built
by the famous Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. It is also said
that the ancient city got its name Lalitpattan after the Lalitadhara
forest was cleared by king Biradava. It must be remembered that
the name of Patan used by Newars in Yala. It is said that King Yalamber
named this city after himself. Before Malla Dynasty ascended the
throne in 1480 the Muslim Emperor Sam Suddin Iliyas destroyed the
temples and monuments of Patan. When King Siddhi Nar Singh Malla
ascended the throne in 1618, he started to rebuild the city and
Shrinivas and Yog Narendra Malla made further contributions to it.
These days one can see the beautiful palace complex and squares
built during the Malla period.
Things to visit are:
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Krishna Temple
The Krishna Mandir is dedicated to lord Krishna and was build
by Siddhi Narsingha Malla in 1637. Many writers have considered
this temple as and ornament of Patan. This temple was built in
Shikhara style, which is considered to be of Indian influence
in Nepal. The temple is three storied and important scenes from
the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics have been carved inside the
temple. The statue of Krishna lies in the first floor and only
Hindus are allowed to go in. It is one of the most visited temples
in Patan. On the occasion of Krishna Janmasthanmi (Lord Krishna’s
Birthday), thousands of devotees come to the temple. The other
importance of this temple is a statue of Garuda)(the vehicle of
Krishna or Vishnu) in front of the temple.
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Golden Temple
The Golden Temple or Hiranya Varna Mahavihar is the richest temple
in Patan. The temple is just two minutes walk towards, the north
of the Durbar Square. The temple, built in the 12th Century, is
popular among the Buddhists of Patan. At the main entrance two
lions are guarding the temple. The building has three roofs with
copper golden facades. Inside the temple, there are images of
Buddha and Boddisattvas. In the courtyard, there is a small temple
with beautifully decorated pinnacle.
Other interesting things to see here are Mulchowk, Jagat Narayan
Temple, Big Bell, Pillar of Yognarendra Malla, Hari Shanker temple,
Vishwanath temple, Bhimsen temple, Marga Hiti, and Mani Mandap,
Café Pagoda, Kumbheswor Temple, Rato Machhendra Temple, Minnath,
Rudra Varna Mahavihar and so on.
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