Table Of Contents
Lalitpur, in Kathmandu Valley, is historically one of the most ancient cities. It's in the Kathmandu Valley's southeast corner. It is most renowned for its diverse cultural legacy, especially its arts and crafts culture. It is well-known for its festivals and feasts, exquisite old art, and the creation of metallic, wood-carved, and stone-carved sculptures.
Lalitpur was built in 299 CE by King Varadeva, according to Nepalese history.
Exploring Lalitpur
It is well known that Lalitpur is a very artistic city. The city's architecture, magnificent antique art, metal, wood, and stone-carved sculptures, as well as its cultural heritage, such as the royal palace, which has carefully carved doors and windows and wonderful courtyards decorated with lovely symbols, all, contribute to the city's attractiveness. These products showcase the artisans' artistic genius, and the entire city resembles an open museum, proudly proclaiming that Lalitpur is a very artistic city.
Some popular places and landmarks in Lalitpur are as below.
Patan Dhoka:
One of the historical entrances to the old city. It is located about 4 km south of the Bagmati bridge, connecting Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts. If you opt to tour Lalitpur city and Patan Durbar Square, You are most likely to pass through Patan Dhoka.
Pimbahal Pokhari:
Around 100 meters to the South of Patan Dhoka lies the historic site, Pimbahal. It is as old as 700 years. One of the main features of Pimbahal is its 14th Century pond which is worth visiting while you are here.
This large pond is a hidden gem centered around a charming lakeshore pavilion. On the north side is a three-tiered Chandeswari Temple built in 1663. Walk around the pond clockwise and you'll pass a 600-year-old whitewashed stupa.
Patan Durbar Square:
Many attractions can be found at Patan durbar square, including Krishna temple, Bhimsen Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Taleju Bell, Hari Shankar temple, The palace plaza, and the residence of the Malla kings of Patan state, which is now a museum.
Krishna Mandir:
One of the stone temples of Nepal was built by King Siddhinarsingh Malla in the 16th century.
Hiranya Varna Mahavihar:
A Buddhist monastery is known locally as Golden Temple.
Kumbheshwor Temple:
One of the oldest pagoda-style temples with five stories, a Shiva temple with two ponds whose water is believed to come from Gosaikunda.
Banglamukhi Temple:
Bagalamukhi is one of the well-known Shakti Peeths, the Devi temple of the Kathmandu valley, and is visited by a large number of devotees, especially on Thursdays. The goddess is known as the one who fulfills the devotee's wishes.
Note: Kumbheshwor and Banglamukhi Temple are adjacent.
Ratnakar Mahavihar:
The Temple Of the Living Goddess, Kumari, is the official residence of the Kumari of Patan.
Central Zoo:
Central Zoo was established in 1932 by Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana as a private zoo, it is the only zoo in Nepal.
Batuk Bhairav Temple:
In Lagankhel, the center of the Lalitpur district, there is a one-story pagoda-style temple called Batuk Bhairabh Temple covered in a brass roof. In contrast to other temples, this one has a stone shrine worshipped as Bhairabh in the inner sanctuary with Lord Ganesh, Lord Kumar, and Goddess Kumari.
Santaneshwor Temple:
One of the well-known Hindu temples in Lalitpur is the Santaneshwor Mahadev temple. People who are childless are said to go to the deity to be granted offspring.
Karya Vinayak Temple:
Karya Vinayak Temple is one of the four famous Vinayak temples in Kathmandu Valley. Bungamati, about 7 kilometers south of Patan Durbar Square. Purna Singh of Bungamati led the construction of the temple in 1661 AD.
Bajrabarahi Temple is Temple without a pinnacle.
Main Festivals of Patan
- Rato Machhindranath Jatra
- Krishna Janmashtami
How to get to Patan?
You can get to Lalitpur by:
Taxi (around 500NPR from Thamel).
Local Bus from Ratna Park (around 25NPR).
Quick Facts About Patan
Where is Patan located in Nepal?
Patan is one of the largest cities in Nepal and is in Kathmandu Valley.
Is Patan worth visiting?
Patan is an ancient city in Kathmandu Valley. It has many popular attractions, including Patan Durbar Square, Krishna Temple, Patan Dhoka, and Golden Temple, making it well worth a visit.
What is Patan Durbar Square famous for?
The Patan Durbar Square is full of ancient places, the royal palace, temples, and shrines noted for their exquisite carvings. It is most renowned for its diverse cultural legacy, especially its arts and crafts culture. It is well-known for its festivals and feasts, exquisite old art, and the creation of metallic, wood-carved, and stone-carved sculptures.
Patan is safe to travel to?
Yes, Patan is Safe for travel and even safer for solo travelers.
