Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square is situated at the center of Lalitpur city. Patan Durbar Square is located 5 km south of Kathmandu city, also it has been a World Heritage Site since 1979. Patan Durbar Square is a major tourist attraction filled with primeval palaces, pagoda style temples. The precinct of the Durbar Square is not spacious but is crowded with beautiful temples and monuments. This city is believed to have been built in the third century.In the complex of the palace lies the temple of Lord Krishna made out of stone. Patan was the city of Buddhists particularly the center of Bajrayani Buddhist religion so we can see the influence of Buddhist religion in numerous temples of Patan. This city was designed keeping in mind the circle of Buddhist religion. Malla Kings in a form of a “Lotus flower” designed Patan some 1600 years ago. The majestic Patan Durbar Square is yet another example of the extraordinary ingenuity of the Nepalese artists and architects. The main attraction of the square is the “Royal Palace of Malla Kings”. The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. There are three main courtyards, so named central Sundari Chowk, Mul Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk in the square. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal bath called Tushahity.

The Major attraction of Patan Darbar Square and its Surroundings

• Krisnhna Mandir
• Kwa Bahal "Golden Temple"
• Kumbeshwor
• The Ashokan Stupas
• Patan Museum
• Mahabouddha Temple
• Hiranya Varna Mahavihar

Krisnhna Mandir

Krishna Mandir is Nepal's finest piece of stone architecture. Siddhi Narsingh, a passionate devotee of Krishna, built this temple in the 17th century when he dreamed Krishna and Radha being union at this spot. This magnificent temple is a delicate, airy creation which defies its heavy material. The first story of the temple consists of scenes from the Hindu holy book Mahabharat; the second story pavilions are banded by friezes from the Ramayana. Atop a stone pillar in front, a brilliantly executed large metal Garuda (the bird on which Lord Krishna rides) kneels in homage.

Patan Museum

This museum inside the durbar square specializes in bronze statues and religious objects. It is considered as one of the best museums in Asia.

Hiranya Varna Mahavihar

Located inside kwabadehul, this three- story golden pagoda of Lokeshwar (lord Buddha) was built in the twelfth century by king Bhaskar Verma. It is famous as the golden temple. Inside the upper story of the pagoda, are the golden images of lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel.

Kwa Bahal "Golden Temple"

This Buddhist monastery is a three storey golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha). The monastery, built in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Verma, is embellished with exceptionally fine woodcarvings and repousse work. Inside the upper storey of the pagoda, there are the golden image of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel. It is a five-minute walk west and north from the northern end of Durbar Square.

Kumbheshwar

This is a five-storey pagoda-style temple of Lord Shiva. Inside the courtyard is a natural spring whose source, it is said. is the famous glacial lake of Gosainkunda. This temple was built by King Jayasthiti Malla while the golden finial was added later, in 1422 A.D. He also cleaned the pond near Kumbheshwar and installed various images of Narayan, Ganesh, Sitala, Basuki, Gauri, Kirtimukh and Agamadevata around the pond and in the courtyard. Ritual bathing takes place here every year on the day of Janai Poornima.

The Ashokan Stupas

Emperor Ashoka of India visited Nepal in 250 B.C and built four ancient stupas at the four corners of Patan. The four stupas are situated in Pulchowk, Lagankhel, Ebahi and in Teta (way to Sano Gaon) respectively. These stupas give evidence to the city's ancient religious importance.

Mahabouddha Temple

A little further east from the southern end of Durbar Square and then turning right at the sunken water taps lies this Buddhist monument. The temple, made of clay bricks with thousands of images of Lord Buddha engraved, is an excellent example of Terra Cotta art form. The terra-cotta structure is one of the fourteen-century Nepalese architectural masterpieces.