Patan - The City Of Artist

Patan has a large Buddhist history, and the four corners of the city are marked by stupas, said to have been erected by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka around 250 B.C.. The town was ruled by local noblemen until king Shiva Malla of Kathmandu conquered the city in 1597. Patan's major building boom took place under the Mallas in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Located about south of Kathmandu Valley, on the southern side of the Bagmati River, Patan is one of 3 royal cities in the valley. The others are Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. 

The city is known for its tradition of arts and handicrafts and as the birthplace of master craftsman and artist such as Arniko and Kuber Singh Shakya. In the heart of Patan and the Patan Marketplace, Patan Durbar Square is filled with Ancient Palaces, Pagodas Temples, Stone Baths. Hindus and Buddhist Statues, Bas relief and engravings, and Bronze carvings.

The city of Patan offers visitors the chances to see an abundance of exquisite works of religious art and architecture. In addition, adventurous travelers can found many opportunities for trekking, mountains, biking, white water trekking, aerial exploration of the Kathmandu valley, and mountaineering.

Krishna Temple: Patan [Nepal]: (Built in 1637 AD). The Temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and is completely made by stone.

The Krishna temple on the west side of Patan's Durbar square was built in 1637. Legend says that it was built because of a dream. One night, King Siddhi Narsingh Malla dreamt that the gods Krishna and Radha were standing in front of the palace. The King ordered a temple built on the same spot. During a war with a neighboring kingdom a decade later, the King emerged victorious after calling on Krishna to vanquish his enemies. In gratitude, the King built a replica of the temple inside the Sundari Chowk courtyard.

The Krishna temple is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal, imported from India. Beneath its 21 golden pinnacles are three floors. The first floor enshrines Krishna, the second Shiva, and the third Lokeshwor. Scenes from the Ramayana narrated in Newari script decorate the interior of the temple.

The temple is managed by local Brahmins and is still used. Patan officially sub-Metropolitan city is one of the major cities of Nepal. Patan is also known as Manigal.It is best known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly its tradition of arts and crafts. It is called city of festival and feast, fine ancient art, making of metallic and stone carving statue, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples , and over 1000 monuments.

Culture: Patan is a center of Buddhist and Hindu culture. The city is full of religious art, temples and monasteries. Many religious, festivals take place in patan each year. One is the Buddhist Jayanti Festival, marking the Birthplace of  Lord Buddha, which occurs on jyestha purnima (full moon night in April or May). The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated by Hindus at the Krishna temples in Patan in August- September. The largest festival in Nepal is the Dashain festival in September to October. This festival  take place at the Palace Complex on Patan as well as in the other cities of the Kathmandu Valley and commemorates a victory by the gods over wicked demons. The celebration lasts 15 days and includes kite flying.

Bodnath: Bodnath Stupa is a bastion of Tibetan culture in the heart of The Katmnadu valley. Bodnath is the largest stupa in Nepal. This century old stupa has long been one of the main pilgrimage sites in the Kathmandu valley. The Great Stupa, universally known as Boudha or Boudhanath, is also called Jharung Khashor. The Great Boudhanath Stupa, built in the 5th century, is one of the most ancient, largest and magnificent Stupas in the world. It is the most important place of pilgrimage and worship for Buddhist all over the world. The Great Stupa symbolizes the mind of all the Buddhas. It is believed that whoever prostrates and circumambulates with a pure heart at the Great Stupa creates good karma resulting in the fulfillment of all their wishes.

The Four Ashoka Stupas: Patan is home to four Buddhist stupas built by Emperor Ashoka. In his eighth year of rule Emperor Ashoka saw firsthand the bloody carnage caused by a war he sanctioned; humbled, he turned to Buddhism and ordered over 80,000 shrines and temples constructed in his empire.10.4 meters. It has fire vedika of height 1.6 meters with one tathagata in each direction. The dome of 4.5m in height is paved with firebricks.

Lagan Thura- Southern Stupa: Among the four stupas of Patan, the southern mound is known as Lagankhel Stupa or Lagan. Thupa Stupa of Patan is near the eastern ring road. This Stupas is comparatively bigger than the other two structure in perimeter. The perimeter of this Stupa is 75.83 meter and the largest among the four, measuring 47.40 meters in diameter and 11.80 meters in height. The mound is crowned by a recent structure, a miniature cenotaph added on the top.

Pucho Thora- Western Stupa: This Stupa is located just at the roadside of Pulchowk Bus Stand on the west end of Patan. The perimeter of this Stupa is 75.52 meters and height 12 meters. It has firebricks vedika of height 1.2 meters with one Tathagata in each direction. The firebrick. It has no harmika. The thirteen rings cakravalis are constructed directly over the dome in square shaped pyramid structure. A yasti is placed on the top of the spire with a paranoid.

Ibahi Thura- Northern Stupa: This Stupa is comparatively more complex and smaller than the three Stupas. It is nearly circular and has a perimeter of 60.62 meters. It has five Buddha in the vedika with their consorts except the Tathagata Vairocana. Ut has a vedika of 1.5 meters and dome of 5.5 meters in height. A square harmika is constructed over the dome with 13 steps karavali and a parasol.

Tourism, Travel, & Information Guide to the Royal City of Patan, Nepal

Patan is one of 3 Royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal and a centre of fine art and Buddhist and Hindu culture.  www.patan.com

Where to stay in Patan, Nepal

Discover the Best Hotels in Patan on Booking.com including Traditional Homes, Swotha, Summit Hotel, Moksha Aurveda, Nepal