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Metropolitan city in Bagmati Province, Nepal
Photo: Clemensmarabu, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Patan, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, is one of the largest cities in Nepal and is located just across the Bagmati river from Kathmandu. Confusingly, it is also known as Lalitpur, both names deriving from the Sanskrit "Lalitapattan". Like its larger neighbour, Patan also boasts a Durbar Square full of temples, statues, and palaces and, in addition, has the must-see attraction of Patan Museum. As a traditional centre of handicrafts, Patan is a great place to purchase jewellery, Buddha statues and masks.
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was built on the site of a fort that stood until 1734 and served as the residence of the Malla rulers of the then Patan state. It is divided up into a succession of courtyards (or “chowks”). Unfortunately only the last of these on the right, which houses the museum, is open on a regular basis due to problems with theft of artifacts. Try peering through cracks in the doors to see what you are missing. The first palace building is Sundari Chowk which was constructed in 1647. The three-storey temple on the palace side is the Degutale temple, constructed in 1661 after an earlier one burned down. Mul Chowk was the central part of the old palace and in recent times has suffered much theft of ornamental woodwork.
An excellent and well-presented little museum with descriptions of various artistic techniques.
Chyasaldewal
constructed in 1647
A huge bell that dates back to 1737 which is rung once a year.
with kneeling stone elephants in front
Biseshvar Temple
A Shiva temple.
Half Vishnu half Shiva deity. Built in 1704-5
Charnarayan Temple
Two storey. Brick. The oldest temple in the complex, dating back to 1565. The temple with a statue of Yognarendra on a pillar in front. (Southward)
with two stone elephants and riders in front
constructed in 1680 but with more recent marble additions.
Five storey on the Palace ground
A pavilion dating from the 1700s.
A lotus shaped pool and three carved stone crocodile head.
Mani Ganesh, Kopeswar Temple?
This is a stone temple covered with terracotta tiles, which include 1008 Buddha images. It was modelled on a larger temple in Bodhgaya, India and took one family four generations to complete
Rato Temple, Red Temple, Machhindra Bahal temple
This is a good illustration of the problems now faced with theft of artifacts. The temple is now surrounded by a strong fence and each statue has its own individual fence. Statues are missing from two stands, suggesting that the temple has already fallen victim. Machchhendranath also gives his name to an annual festival when a 25 m tall "chariot" is paraded through Patan. If you note all the wires and cables across the streets at levels much lower than 25 m you can appreciate what a complicated exercise this is. The parade takes place between April and June, with the chariot staying the night at different locations. The end of the parade is supposed to coincide with the onset of the monsoon rains. The wheels of the chariot are over 2 m in diameter. For the rest of the year these can be seen in the building next to the Ashok Stupa (see below).
There is a secondary School.
Uku Bahal
A gem of a temple close to Mahaboudha, but much less visited. One of the oldest temples in the Kathmandu Valley with some strange and interesting statues.
Hiranayavarna Makavikar, Kwa Bahal
An enormous number of gold- and silver-covered decorations and some excellent bronze statues make this well worth being the only temple in Patan you have to pay to enter. Construction dates back to the early 1400s, although some pieces pre-date construction.
Banglamukhi Temple, Kumbeswar Temple, Kumbheshwore Temple
Shiva Temple. One of the two five-story pagoda temples of the Valley. The sunken basin is usually empty but around August is filled for the Kumbheshwar Mela full moon day festival. At this time the temple becomes packed. Sheep roaming the temple are those that have been spared sacrifice.
Western Stupa
Nag Bahal
A small green area with a pond
Known for its pizza, pasta, desserts, ice cream, and coffee.
The road towards St Marys
Good coffee and nice garden. Live jazz on some nights, which is discordant & over amplified, is a negative.
Good Thai, and other Asian food
Use sign language and point to menu items as the waiters have speaking and hearing impairments. Noodles, MoMo, sandwiches and, on most days, a lunchtime buffet. WiFi.
Trendy, peaceful restaurant
Lovely outdoor seating. Good Pad Thai. Very good pizzas and quite good Italian food.
Peaceful Cafe. A second branch in Ekantakuna (near DFID) sells excellent brown bread and carrot cakes.
Serves burritos, chimichangas, nachos, fried ice cream, thick shakes and sopapillas. A party of 10 or more gets free chips and salsa. Thursday nights children eat free with the purchase of one adult size entree.
Popular local eatery known for traditional Newari dishes such as bara, choila, and samay baji.
A centrally located guesthouse in a traditional Newari house. There are great views over the temples of Durbar square, and the dining room is a very pleasant area of foliage blended with stylish Newari decor.
The "Newa Chén" is a well-preserved and restored example of a traditional Newari house in the Kathmandu Valley. Located at Kulimha tole, North of Patan’s Durbar Square, it is built of brick and timber in traditional Malla style around a central courtyard.
Large 5 story house run by friendly/caring Nepali Buddhist family. 50-metre walk to bus stop/taxis. 24hr Wi-Fi. Great views from roof & upper floors.
Cosy Nepal is a smart alternative to hotel stay in charming accommodations that blends Newari architecture and modern comfort. Cosy Nepal has more than 20 accommodations for short, medium and long stays with balconies, terrace roof and offers services such as cooking class, laundry service, Nepali teacher, yoga...
A beautifully restored Newari House in the heart of Patan's medieval city centre. 5 spacious, comfortable rooms with attached bathroom and a beautiful attic suite. Most of the rooms have private balconies. Upstairs, there is a sunny roof terrace that offers a panoramic view of Patan’s pagoda-strewn roofscape, and beyond it a glimpse of the Himalaya. Nice staff, free Wi-Fi and delicious breakfast.
A quiet, comfortable NGO-type hotel. Ten minutes walk to main road.
Four-star hotel with swimming pool and several other facilities. Mainly Indian and United Nations clientele. Food disappointing.
Nice location, good food. Garden wing has small rooms, but the other rooms are good.
Good food and view of zoo. Free Wi-fi & library. Garden or rooftop dining available. Short- or long-term stays possible.
Nice location, good food. Garden wing has small rooms, but the other rooms are good.
This is the local branch of Nepal Bank Ltd
Supermarket chain. More units: Bhat-Bhateni Tangal, Located: Cha-1-580 Bhat-Bhateni, Tel: 977-1-4419181, 4413825, Fax: 977-1-4420240; Bhat-Bhateni Maharajgunj, Located: Maharajgunj, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Chakrapath, Email: dipak@bbsm.com.np, Tel: 977-1-4016130, 4016131, 4016132, Fax: 977-1-4016133; Bhat-Bhateni Koteshwor, Located: Koteshwor, Koteshwor-35, Tel: 977-1-4601300, 4601301, Email: bisharjan@bbsm.com.np; Bhat-Bhateni Chuchepati, Located: Chuchepati, Bouddha, Tel: 977-1-4485395,4485396, Email: pushkal@bbsm.com.np.
this bookshop is housed in an old 1930s building and combines a collection of fiction with a marvelously cosy environment.
Note: Nepal Buses & Micro buses are not very good for handicapped people or the faint of heart. The people are very friendly, but the vehicles are very old & rough.
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