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Patan (Lalitpur) - Nepal
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Patan (Lalitpur):
This ancient
city is located on the southern bank of the
holy Bagmati River and is approximately five
kilometers south east of the capital. The
whole city is full of Buddhist monuments and
Hindu temples with the fine bronze gateways
marvelous status, guardians deities and
magnificent carvings including stone carving
,metal carving and woodcarving. Well noted
for its gorgeous craftsmen and metal workers
it is often known as the city of superb
artists. The majority of the citizens follow
the Buddhist faith.
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Places of interest in Patan: |
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Durbar Square Patan.
This Royal Palace Complex built during the Malla period and stood as the capital part
till the 17th century. Situated in the heart
of the city, it constitutes the salient
focus of an alien visitor's attraction. The
square is built of ancient palaces temples,
shrines and statues noted for their
exquisite carvings. We owe all these
grandeurs to the sovereign Malla dynasty.
The last of the Malla dynasty was late King Tej Narsingh Malla. There include three main
courtyards, the first being the Kasha
Narayan Chowk which we have gotten to enter
through the Golden Gate and under the Golden
Window the second being the Taleju Bhavani
Chowk; and the third being the Sundari Chowk
carrying the Royal Bath called Tushahity.
The single stone pillar on which sits late
King Yog Narendra Malla facing the Taleju
Bhavani Temple to the cardinal direction of
east and the Gigantic Bell to its right are
also worth mentioning.
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Krishna Temple.
Built in the sixteenth century by late King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, this temple is made
of pure stone. It is a marvelous structure
constructed completely out of stone, It is a
marvelous structure constructed completely
out of stone, except for the few pinnacles
or the spires adjusted out of metal. The
carvings on its friezes depict battle scenes
from the ancient Hindu epics of South Asia,
the Ramayan and the Maha-Bharat in
particular. Opposite remains the single
stone pillar with a Garud sitting on paying
decent homage to Lord Krishna. |
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Kumbeshwor. This
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was
built during the peaceful reign of late King
Jayasthiti Malla. The particular deity it
houses is Kumveshwor Mahadev and the
five-storied pagoda temple was constructed
in sheer competition with the five-storied
pagoda temple of Bhaktapur. Later in 1932 a
golden finial was supplemented. |
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Jagat Narayan
Temple. This is a tall imposing Hindu temple
belonging to Lord Bishnu, constructed out of
attractive red bricks. It is situated in
Sankhamul Ghat, which rests on the band of
the holy Bagmati River. The temple contains
numerous fine images in stone and an
artistic metal statue of Garud on a stone
pillar in this case also. |
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Karunamaya
Temple. This is a Buddhist pagoda solely
dedicated to Lord Avaloketeshwor. Built in
1408, it is located in a large quadrangle
called Tah Bahal, Also referred to as Red
Karunamaya, the idol remains housed here for
12 fortnights and is highly worshipped by
Tibetan, Sikkimese, Ladakhan and Bhutanese
Buddhists as well. |
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The Ashokan
Stupas. There exist four ancient Buddhist
Stupas popularly believed to have been built
in 250 B.C. by Emperor Ashok. The great
Hindu emperor of north India later happened
to take refuge in the Buddha and embrace the
Dharma, The neat grassy Stupas expose their
beauty at each of the four corners of Patan.
They give evidence to the chaitya's ancient
religious ancient religious importance and
proudly support the sound proof of Ashok's
unanimous visit to the Himalayan Kingdom.
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The Tibetan
Refugee Center. This is a busy Tibetan
settlement with a Mahayan Buddhist
monastery. Running a woolen carpet industry
is today a big responsible job of the
Tibetan society. "Jawalakhel Handicraft
Center Pvt. Ltd." is a typical pioneer
Tibetan carpet manufacturer the factory of
which stands the biggest in Lalitpur
district. It is an extremely interesting
place where one can keenly observe the
technical process of spinning, dyeing and
weaving of Shangri-La rugs performed by
perfect Tibetan hands. |
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The National
Zoo. The only public zoo of the valley lies
in the premises of Jawalakhel. A wide
colossal compound with a pond in the middle,
it contains numerous animals. Birds and
reptiles mostly representing the Himalayan
alpine fauna. It sure makes an enchanting
area for zoological study-men and liberal
holidaymakers. On the day of Jawala- Bhoe or
Voto - Jatra, it is a great picnic spot.
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Patan Museum.
Located in the palace complex of Patan Durbar
Square, the Patan Museum is a house to some of the
unique medieval works in bronze. The earliest
specimens date back Lichhavi period. Most of the
exhibits are deities from the Buddhist pantheon like
images of Buddhas and Lokeswore. And in the lesser
number, there are icons from Hindu pantheon like
Vishnu and other deities. |
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Places of interest
around Patan:
Godavari-Phulchowki. |
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