Patan Travel Essentials
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Also Refered As:Lalitpur
"The Handicraft City of Nepal"
Patan Tourism
Patan is the third-largest city in Nepal right after Kathmandu and Pokhara. It is presently known as Lalitpur. Both names are derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Lalitapattan’. The city is located just across the river Bagmati from Kathmandu. Patan has a Durbar Square that is full of statues, temples, and palaces. In addition, Durbar Square also has the ‘Patan museum’ which is a must-see attraction. It is a traditional centre for handicrafts and is also a place to purchase traditional jewellery, Buddha statues and masks.
Patan was once an independent and a mighty kingdom of the Kathmandu Valley. It has now become a melting pot of two famous religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. A temple of the Hindu Lord Krishna rests right in the middle of the same town whose architecture has been dedicated to the Buddhist Dharma-Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness) philosophy. Its ancestral uniqueness is still moulded into Patan and this distinguishes Patan as a different atmosphere altogether in a short travel.
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Things to do in Patan
1. Patan Durbar Square
This UNESCO heritage site, located in the centre of Lalitpur is one of the most visited places in Nepal. The architecture and history can be seen in the temples, palaces and houses and best reflect th (Read More)e culture of this country. Located just a few kilometres from Kathmandu City, the Durbar Square Patan is one of the three main Durbar Squares in Kathmandu Valley and offers a perfect blend between ancient history and culture along with modern local street food.��
2. Patan Museum
For anyone visiting the beautiful country of Nepal and interested in its culture and history in-depth, Patan Museum is a must-visit destination. Located in Lalitpur district, the Patan Museum is house (Read More)d within an ancient residential court in Keshav Narayan Chowk. Patan Durbar, a former royal palace used by many Malla dynasty kings who ruled over Kathmandu Valley, is where the entire complex is located.
3. Uku Bahal
Uku Bahal is a Buddhist monastery located in South of Patan Durbar Square in Nepal. It is also called Rudra Varna Mahavir and is definitely worth a stop in Patan City. Filled with sacred images and sh (Read More)rines, this place consists of three courtyards. When you enter, you will see the outer courtyard with two flag-bearing British style lion statues and an impressive gate. They can find splendid items such as brass bells, winged horses, statues of peacocks, elephants Garudas and thunderbolts called Dorjes. Along with that, a statue of Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher, as well as paintworks and preserved roof struts, are a few things that people can see.
4. Royal Palace Patan
The Royal Palace in Patan covers up the Durbar Square in the city and is one of the most famous attractions there. Built in the 14th century under the rule of the Malla King, the palace was restored a (Read More)fter the Kathmandu earthquake in 2015. The palace includes a number of temples in its complex and it is almost impossible to take a trip to Durbar Square without having a look at the Royal Palace.
5. Sundari Chowk
In the Patan Durbar Square of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal is the beautiful courtyard of Sundari Chowk with an entrance guarded by the three impressive statues of Hindu deities Hanuman, Ganesh and Narsingh (Read More)a. It is one of the three main courtyards in Patan Durbar Square and is located south of its more famous neighbour, Mul Chowk. Relatively smaller than Mul Chowk, this area is arranged around a carved sunken water tank known as Tusha Hiti and has the Bhandarkhal water tank which was once the main supply tank royal palace.
6. Rato Machhendranath Temple
It is believed that Rato Machhendranath Temple is the place where the patron of God, Rato Macchendranath or Matsyendranath spent most of his life. Rato Machhendranath was said to have been moved from (Read More)Bungamati to Patan several times, which is central to the most famous rituals in Kathmandu. The place where the deity resided, Shikhara, was unfortunately destroyed during the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Nevertheless, this attraction is a must-visit for tourists since it truly represents the culture of Bungamati.
7. Bhimsen Temple
Bhimsen temple is situated in the northern part of Patan Durbar Square. The temple consists of three storeys and is dedicated to Bheema, one of the five Pandavas from Mahabharata, who was known for hi (Read More)s strength and bravery. In Newar, he is traditionally worshipped as the god of business and trade. There are many temples in Nepal dedicated to Bhimsen but the one in the Patan Durbar Square attracts people the most because of the draws and carvings of the temple which describes Bhimsen as the man with super strength who is crushing an elephant with a knee or lifting a horse in the air. The non-Hindus are not allowed to go inside the temple but can view the wild-eyed statue of Bhimsen by climbing up to the top level of this temple.��
8. Kumbeshwar Temple
The Kumbeshwar Temple, also known as the Kumbeshwar Mahadev Mandir, one of the three five-storey temples in patan is quite often ignored due to its neighbouring Golden Temple. Even though Patan is kno (Read More)wn for having only Hindu Temples, the Kumbeshwar temple is quite famous for being one of the most sacred ones in Nepal. For those who are visiting Patan, this temple dedicated to lord Shiva should definitely be a stop.
9. Krishna Mandir
Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, Nepal was a cultural stronghold of the Malla kings of Kathmandu valley. Most of the buildings present here reflect the history and evolution of Nepal�۪s culture over t (Read More)he years, especially the temples and shrines. The courtyard has both Hindu and Buddhist establishment scattered all over its vast expanse.
10. Newari Kitchen
The Newari Kitchen in Patan is the best place to go when you want to explore Newari food. It features in International, Nepalese, and Asian cuisines. This restaurant is known for its austenitic, flavo (Read More)ur and its ambient environment as well.
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Culture
Patan is one of the only places in Kathmandu Valley where there's still antiquity to the present. Medieval arts and architecture still remain in its original state. This city of fine arts is well-known for its plethora of talented artists, including sculptors, painters and carvers. Their top-notch skills are still quite evident in the remains of the golden era of Patan. Each and every pagoda, artistic courtyard and royal palace building has captured the history of over 609 years of the city's story and journey through time and civilization. Most of the population in Patan were craftsmen and this results in Patan being a paradise for Nepalese handicrafts.
Handicraft Shopping
For those who love collecting souvenirs from their trips, Patan is a perfect place. This city is known for its stone and metal crafts.
Places for Shopping for Handicrafts in Patan:
Places for Shopping for Handicrafts in Patan:
- Jhamsikhel
- Kopundol Road: One can find a variety of wooden toys, pottery, paintings, carpets, and pillow covers.
- Durbar Square: There are many shops where one can find metal and wooden handicrafts. At the south of Durbar Square, you can definitely find popular metalworking shops.
- Handicraft Center in Jawalakhel: Patan is also a huge centre of the growing carpet industry and you will find amazing carpets and rugs here. Downstairs, you can also see the employees working on the carpets. This centre employs around 1000 refugees to work which is a great initiative.
History of Patan
The city of Patan is considered to have been located in the 3rd-century BC by the Kirat dynasty which was later extended by the Licchavis in the 6th-century. According to this chronicle, the earliest known centre of Kirat rulers was Thankot. The Mallas further expanded it during the medieval period. In a lot of scriptures, Patan is said to have been founded by King Veer Deva in 299 AD, but it is unanimously agreed that Patan was a well-established and an advanced town since ancient times.
Several historical records show that Patan is the oldest of all the cities that surround the Kathmandu Valley. Patan has a long history related to Buddhism. The four corners of the city of Patan are characterised by stupas that are said to have been constructed by Ashoka, the great Buddhist ruler around 250 BC. Some engravings mention the city's 5th-century palaces. The town was said to be ruled by local noblemen until the reign of King Shiva Malla of Kathmandu who conquered the city in 1597, which temporarily unified the valley. Patan's major building growth took place under the rule of Mallas in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.
Several historical records show that Patan is the oldest of all the cities that surround the Kathmandu Valley. Patan has a long history related to Buddhism. The four corners of the city of Patan are characterised by stupas that are said to have been constructed by Ashoka, the great Buddhist ruler around 250 BC. Some engravings mention the city's 5th-century palaces. The town was said to be ruled by local noblemen until the reign of King Shiva Malla of Kathmandu who conquered the city in 1597, which temporarily unified the valley. Patan's major building growth took place under the rule of Mallas in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.
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FAQs on Patan
What is the best time to visit Patan nepal?
The best time to visit Patan is during the Spring months of March to May and the Autumn months of October to November. During these months, the temperature is between 7 and 23-degree Celsius. There are only a few rainy days. The winter usually has temperatures between 2 and 18-degree Celsius and there’s no rain in the winters. Considering humidity, the average temperatures vary greatly. The windiest month is April, followed by May and March.
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What is the local food in Patan nepal?
There is a variety of food available in Patan. Most restaurants have traditional Nepali food and also general restaurants have Mediterranean, French, and other types of western food. The set meals combine a 'wo’ which is a lentil or ‘chatamari’ (rice) pancake which is savoury with some excellent Pancha Kwa (stew served with bamboo shoots, potato, and dried mushrooms) for a usual light lunch.
Must-Visit Restaurants in Patan:
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Must-Visit Restaurants in Patan:
- If you're craving Nepali food, Newark kitchen is the best option.
- Mediterraneo serves Spanish food.
- Café Swotha at Narayan temple serves excellent French food.
- JaZoo and Jalan serve the best Asian food including Nepali, Chinese, and Thai.
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What are the things to do in Patan nepal?
The top things to do in Patan nepal are Durbar Square Patan, Patan Museum, Uku Bahal, Royal Palace Patan, Sundari Chowk, Rato Machhendranath Temple . You can see all the places to visit in Patan nepal here
What are the places near Patan nepal?
The top places near to Patan nepal are Kathmandu which is 11 km from Patan nepal, Nagarkot which is located 8 km from Patan nepal, Pokhara which is located 154 km from Patan nepal, Janakpur which is located 117 km from Patan nepal, Lumbini which is located 189 km from Patan nepal
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