A Day in Ancient City of Patan, Nepal

Most people arriving in Nepal spend a day or two in Kathmandu and head for the mountains but few visit Patan.
A Day in Ancient City of Patan, Nepal
Temples at Durbar Sqaure in Patan (Shutterstock*)
10/21/2014
Updated:
10/21/2014

Most people arriving in Nepal spend a day or two in Kathmandu and head for the mountains but few visit Patan. This is an ancient city with hidden temples and exquisite carved buildings and just a short journey from Kathmandu. There is a sense of a different world on arriving in Patan where teenage buys stand on corners with bicycles laden with fruit and there is an incessant tapping from the craft workshops. This is an ancient city steeped in Buddhist heritage, Newari culture and where there are four stupas on the corners of the city to mark its boundaries.

Durbar Square and the Royal Palace

 

Temples at Durbar Sqaure in Patan (Shutterstock*)
Temples at Durbar Sqaure in Patan (Shutterstock*)

 

Between the 14th and 18th century Patan was a very different place. During the reign of King Siddharsingh the city of Patan was a mysterious and powerful place and the buildings left behind in Durbar Square just whisper at a clue as to what life was like here. At Mul Chowk the Royal Palace is one of the best preserved buildings in town and its carved doors and windows are magnificent. Behind the grills on the upper floor the women of the palace would gaze out, hidden from view. The Patan Museum is another interesting place to visit to learn more about the history of this city.

Temples

 

Hari Shankar Temple in Patan (Shutterstock*)
Hari Shankar Temple in Patan (Shutterstock*)

 

To the north of Durbar Square the Bhimsen temple is dedicated to the god of trade and business and has three storeys with beautiful carvings. Nearby, the Shiva Temple was built in 1627 and is guarded by two stone elephants. The third temple near Durbar Square is the Krishna Mandir which has strong Mughal influences in its structure and is dominated by a garuda statue. There are many more temples in and around Patan, each with its own history.

Artisans in Patan

One of the best parts of Patan is simply exploring the streets around the centre. Just taking a different turn reveals all manner of workmanship going on in darkened alleys and courtyards. People have carved wood here for centuries and some of the examples seen as you walk round Patan are exquisite. Newari wood carvings are renowned throughout Asia. There are artists too, painting the street scenes and paper lanterns. This is an area also known for bronze and metal casting, and a walk through the city is a great way to see the metal workers creating items for sale. From simple bowls to detailed structures there is a real industry here in Patan and it really is fascinating to spend a day here to see the world at work.

This article was written by Indie Travels . Read the original here.

*Image of Temples at Durbar Sqaure in Patan via Shutterstock

*Image of Hari Shankar Temple in Patan via Shutterstock

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