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The ancient name of Patan is
Lalitpur meaning, city of beauty. It is indeed a city of beauty and grace and is
planned on a circular format with Buddhist stupas at each of the four points of
the compass. The city is three Kilometers south-east of Kathmandu across the
river Bagmati. Like Kathmandu, its center of attraction is its Durbar Square
complex, situated right in the middle of the market place. The city is full of
Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways, guardian deities
and wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, it is also
know as the city of artists. The city is believed to have been built during the
reign of Vira Dev in A.D. 299.
Patan Durbar Square
complex, situated in the center of Patan city, houses the residence of the
former family of Patan. The Square and its surroundings provide very good
example of ancient Newari architecture. The palace has three main
courtyards the central and the oldest is Mul Chowk. To the west of the
complex are a dozen free standing temples of various sizes and styles.
Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple, the Golden Temple of Hiranya Varna
Mahavira and Sundari Chowk mark the architectural excellence of its era.
The Sundari Chowk with the sunken bath of Tusha Hiti, contains exquisite
woodcarvings, stone, and metal sculpture. Patan Durbar Square also houses
a temple of Taleju Bhawani.
Some important monuments to see in this
area are:
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| The golden gate and golden windows of the old palace |
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The famous Krishna Temple with 21 golden pinnacles. |
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| The bath with many carving on the stone. |
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The Taleju Temple. |
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| The temple of Bhimsen with a magnificient
golden balcony over looking the square. |
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Char-narayan temple, which is among finest examples of
unique craftmanship oo wood. |
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Chyasi Dega
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Manga Hiti
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Mul-Chowk
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