PATAN DURBAR SQUARE

PATAN DURBAR SQUARE

Patan Durbar Square is in Lalitpur (Patan) District and consists of an old royal palace amid many temples. Part of the royal palace was turned into a museum for preserving the history of Nepal and its kings, especially the Shah dynasty. In the main entrance to Patan Durbar Square there is Chyasing Deval, built in the "Shikhara" style, which appeared in Nepal during the ninth century A.D. The Krishna temple, built in 1637 A.D, is also one of the main attractions for tourists as well as Hindus. Kwa Baha, the "Golden Temple," is one of the more beautiful temples on the site and is housed in a trilevel monument roofed with gilt copper. Ashoka Stupa, the Shrestha and Rajbhandari houses and Khumbheswor Temple are other attractions in Patan Durbar Square. Patan is also world famous for its metal crafts and stone carvings.

Patan Durbar Square complex is perhaps the most photographed of the three durbar squares. Located in the heart of Patan city, this was once the palace of the kings of Patan. The square is a display of Newari architecture that had reached its pinnacle during the reign of Malla kings who were great builders and patrons of the arts. 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 built in different styles. A masterpiece in stone, the Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple, the Golden Temple of Hiranya Varna Mahavihara and Sundari Chowk mark the artistic brilliance of the Newar craftsmanship of that era. The Sundari Chowk with the sunken bath of Tusha Hiti, showcases exquisite woodcarvings, stone and metal sculpture. Like the other palaces, Patan Durbar Square also houses a temple dedicated to Taleju Bhawani.

Some important monuments to see in this area are:

• The Golden Gate and golden windows of the old palace
• The famous Krishna Temple with 21 golden pinnacles.
• The bath with many carvings in stone at Sundari Chowk.
• The Taleju Temple.
• The temple of Bhimsen with a magnificent golden balcony overlooking the square.
• Char-Narayan temple, which is among the finest examples of woodcarvings.
• Chyasi Dega
• Manga Hiti
• Mul-Chowk