PATAN
The
ancient city of Patan is known as the city of fine arts. The city is full
of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, guardian
deities and wonderful carving. The diversity of the medieval culture that
allowed both Hinduism and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy of
impressive sightseeing in this city for today's visitors.
Durbar Square is an enchanting melange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Situated in the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. The Patan Durbar square consists of three main chowks or court-yards, the Central Mul Cowk, Sundaru Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk. The Sundari Chowk holds in its centre a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal bath called Tushahity. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the former royal palace complex is the centre of Patan’s religious and social life, and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. One remarkable monument here is a 17th century temple Krishna Mandir dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 shrines and is completely made of stone.
A few minutes' walk north of the square is
the Golden Temple, a Buddhist monastery guarded by sacred tortoises that
potter around the courtyard; and the Kumbeshawar, reputedly the oldest
(1392) temple in Patan. South of the square is an area of charming streets
lined with metalsmiths and brassware shops.
A little further from Patan Durbar Square
lies Mahabouddha, Buddhist temple
made of clay bricks in which thousands of images of Lord Buddha are
engraved This Buddhist monument
is an excellent example of terra cotta art form which points to the skill
of Patan’s ancient craftsmen with a variety of building styles. The
terra-cotta structure is one of the fourteenth century Nepalese
architectural masterpieces. The
14th century monument’s obelisk-like design is also unusual in
a city of pagoda roofs.
Patan's other attractions are
flung further afield. Among them is a collection of four stupas, thought
to have been built over 2500 years ago, and Nepal's only zoo. The zoo has
many animals, birds and reptiles in its collections mostly representing
the Himalayan fauna. There is a beautiful pond built in 17th
A.D.
Patan is the home of Nepals finest craftsmen. These skilled artisans produce exquisite brass, bronze and copper statues of a variety of Hindu and Buddhist deities, silver jewellery, sacred paubha paintings, and other handicraft. Noted for its craftsmen and mental workers, it is known as the city of artists.
Even if you're not in the market to buy anything, Patan is the best place in Nepal to watch handicrafts actually being made. The Patan Industrial Estate Estate is well known for Nepali handicrafts such as woodcarvings, metal crafts, carpets and thangka paintings. For the convenience of the tourists there is a shopping arcade where all the handicraft products of the Estate are exhibited in the shopping arcade.
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