THE PLACES TO SEE IN NEPAL INSIDE THE KATHMANDU CITY

INSIDE THE PATAN CITY:

PATAN CITY (LALITPUR):

The city of Patan is also known as Lalitpur. This ancient city, located on the southern bank of the river Bagmati is 5 km south-east of Kathmandu. The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmanship on metal wood and stone, it is known as the city of fine art and beauty .The tour consists of a visit to the Durbar square representing the heart of the city. This square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines noted for their exquisite carving. The main attraction of the Patan Durbar Square is the ancient Royal Palace established in the 16th century. This palace has 3 main Chowks or courtyards. They are known as Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Mani Keshab Narayan Chowk. In the north-eastern corner of the courtyard is the triple-roofed Octagonal tower of Taleju Bhawani temple built by King Shree Niwas Malla in 1667 AD. Life-sized bronze images of goddess Ganga on a tortoise and Jamuna on a ‘Makara’, a mythical crocodile, flank the doorway of the shrine. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone sculptures known as Tusha hiti, the royal bath. Between the central Mul Chowk and Mani Keshab Narayan Chowk there is a temple of Degu Taleju.

KRISHNA MANDIR:

It is built in the 17th century by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla. The temple of the Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan city. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 shrines and is completely made of stone. Most of the important scenes from the ancient Hindu epics, the ‘Ramayana’ and the ‘Mahabharat’ have been engraved on its friezes. The main divinity is installed on the first floor. In front of the Krishna Temple, atop a high stone-pedestal, its a gilded Garuda, half man, half bird, the vehicle of the god Vishnu.

MAHABAUDHA:

Further from Patan Durbar Square there is a Buddhist temple made of terracotta in which thousands of images of Lord Buddha are engraved. This edifice of the 11th century was made by Avay Raj, a priest who represents an architectural masterpiece.

HIRANYA VERNA MAHAVIHAR

(THE GOLDEN TEMPLE):

It is a three storied golden pagoda of Lord Buddha (Lokeshwor) built in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Verma. It is located in the courtyard of Kwabahal. In the upper storey of the pagoda, placed on the pedestal, are the golden image of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel. It is the treasure of Patan City.

RUDRA VERNA MAHAVIHAR:

This unique Buddhist monastery contains fine and amazing collection of images and statues in metal, stone and wood. Kings in the ancient time were crowned in this monastery. Many of the treasures offered by the devotees can be seen here.

THE ASHOKA STUPAS:

There are four Stupas believed to have been built in 250 BC by Emperor Ashoka at the four corners of Patan City; one in Pulchowk, one in Lagankhel, one in Ebahi (way to Sankhamul), and an another is in Teta (way to Sano Gaon). These Stupas give evidence to the city’s ancient religious importance.

ACCHESHWOR MAHAVIHAR:

This Mahavihar was established in the beginning of the 17th century by Accheshwor by building a temple to house an idol of Lord Buddha. This Mahavihar has been reconstructed. It has 30 rooms including a monastery, "Dhyankuti", research area, training area, library, review rooms and guest rooms. It is situated behind the Ashokan Stupa of Pulchowk.

KHUMBHESHWOR:

It is the temple of Lord Shiva, built by King Jayasthiti Malla and later a golden finial was added to it. This temple in Patan and Nyatapola temple in Bhadgaon are the only temples in the valley with five roofs, with an exception of round five-tiered Pancha Mukhi Hanuman of Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka Palace. During the Janai Purnima or Raksha Bandhan (in August) a festival will be held in this temple. Jhankris (witch doctors) attired in their traditional costumes come to bath at Khumbheshwor tank.

RED MACHCHHENDRA NATH & MIN NATH:

This pagoda of Red Machchhendra Nath was built in 1408 AD and it is situated in Tabahal. Machchhendra Nath, also known as Avalokiteshwor or Adinath Lokeshwor, is housed here for six months. For the rest six months, the idol is taken on its shrine to Bugmati. The temple of Mm Nath is situated in Tengal on way to Tabahal. The temple of Mm Nath is supposed to be older than the temple of Red Machchhendra Nath. The Red Machhadranath and Mm Nath chariot festival (April/May) is the biggest socio-cultured event for the town of Patan. Red Machhendranath is popularly known as ‘Bungadya’. The wooden wheeled chariot is prepared at Pulchowk and dragged through the down town of Patan in several stages till it reaches, several months later at Jawalakjiel for the final celebration of ‘Bhoto Jatra’.

BAJRA BARAHI TEMPLE:

This temple situated in a small woodland park is about 10 km south of Patan City near Chapagaon.

PHULCHOWKI:

Situated 10km south of Patan City at an altitude of 2759 m, it is a good spot for hiking, ideal for trekkers and bird watchers. This mountain is famous for its spring flowers specially rhododendrons and orchids of different varieties colour ranging from pure white to dark red. The open shrine of Phulchowki Mai is a pretty spot. The beautiful landscape and the superb forest makes the journey very interesting. A Buddhist Shrine is situated on the top of this hill which can be reached by a Jeepable Road. From the submit of Phulchowki a breath-taking and spectacular views of the Himalayas can be seen on a clear day.

GODAVARI:

It is situated on the foothill of Phulchowki at the altitude of 1700 m and has a splendid natural beauty. It is famous for its botanical garden as well as a picnic spot amidst the dense forest. The road to Godavari passes through Patan City and small old towns called Harisiddhi, Thaiba and Badegaon. It is also a holy place of Nepal and has a marble quarry and fish hatchciy. It is an ideal place for bird-watchers and a day hikci s.