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Introduction to Patan:

Located about 5 km south of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, on the southern side of the Bagmati River, Patan is one of 3 royal cities in the valley. The others are Kathmandu andBhaktapur.

A destination for connoisseurs of fine arts, Patan is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments.

The city is known for its rich tradition of arts and handicrafts and as the birthplace of master craftsmen and artists such as Arniko and Kuber Singh Shakya.

Trivia & Quick Points:

• The official name of the city is “Lalitpur” (City of Beauty).
• This city is located in the district also called Lalitpur.
• The city is comprised of 22 municipal wards.
• Patan’s population (as of 2006) is close to 200,000.
• Patan is the third largest city in Nepal.
• The economy of Patan is based on trade and commerce, tourism, art, handicrafts, and agriculture
• The water supply in Kathmandu Valley is currently insufficient in both quality and quantity. Tourists should not drink untreated water.
• Outbreaks of cholera and malaria occur from time to time. Tourists may want to get vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, meningitis, polio, and typhoid before visiting Patan.

Facts & Information:

History:

The city of Patan is believed to have been built in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty. It was expanded by Lichhavis in the 6th century A.D. and again by the Mallas in medieval period. The Malla kings ruled the Kathmandu Valley until the ascension of the Shah dynasty. In 1768, King Prithvi Narayan Shah began his campaign to unify Nepal and Patan became a city in the kingdom of Nepal.

In the early 1800′s the Shah heirs fought the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816) against the British East India Company over the annexation of small neighboring states. The Nepalese lost and were forced to cede land to the British in exchange for autonomy.

In 1846, Queen Rajendralakshmi sought to curb the power of the military leader, Jang Bahadur. An armed clash between the queen’s loyalists and the miliary personnel loyal to Bahadur ensued in the palace armory in Kathmandu, after which the queen had several hundred prominent men executed, including princes and chieftans. This became known as the Kot Massacre. Badahur emerged from the fighting as the only powerful leader and took the office of Prime Minister. He made the prime minister position autocratic and hereditary. During his reign he purged his enemies by killing and driving thousands into exile, including the king and queen. He replaced them with a figurehead monarch, who gave Bahadur the title ‘Rana’. The rule of Bahadur and his heirs over the next 100 years became known as the Rana dynasty.

The dynasty was brought down in the 1950′s by reformists who instituted a consitutional monarchy.This lasted until 1962, when King Mahendra created a panchayat system of government. This system created a pyramid structure of power based on councils from the village level to the National Parliament, with the King as head of state.

King Mahendra’s son, King Birendra ascended the throne in 1972 and promised democratic reforms. He called a national referendum in 1980 to decide whether to continue the panchayat system, with reforms, or to establish a multi-party system of government. The panchayat system won a close victory.

The 1990 People’s Movement (‘Jana Andolan’) was a cooperative effort among political parties of Nepal, including the Nepali Congress and Communist parties, to establish a constitutional democracy. It ended the panchayat system, and resulted in Nepal’s first election in almost 50 years, in 1991. The following year, as a result of economic crises, a leftist group called the Joint People’s Agitation Committee called for a general strike. Violence ensued, and clashes in Patan between police and activists resulted in the deaths of two activists. In Kathmandu, a crowd rallying at Tundikhel was attacked by police, resulting in an estimated 14 more deaths.

In 1995, in response to corruption, the Communist Party of Nepal (the Maoists) declared a People’s war. They called for the redistribution of land, increased power for rural communities, the elimination of the caste system, equal rights for women, and the creation of a communist republic.

In 2001, Crown Prince Dipendra assassinated 11 members of the royal family, including the king and queen, and was declared King. However, he died days later of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The brother of the assassinated King Birendra, Prince Gyanendra, ascended the throne.

In 2002, due to the escalation of the Maoist rebellion, the king took control of the government temporarily and then appointed a new government. After a Maoist siege on the Kathmandu Valley in 2004, the king declared a state of emergency and assumed full authoritarian power. The king controlled the media and placed politicians under arrest.

In April, 2006, as a result of protests and strikes, the king reinstated parliament. The parliament then stripped the king of most of his powers. The Maoists reached a cease-fire agreement with the government in 2006, and then took a quarter of the seats in the newly elected parliament in January, 2007. In April, 2007, five Maoist ministers were sworn in and placed in charge of the ministries of information, local development, planning and works, forestry, and women and children. Scattered conflicts continue across the country, however.

Culture

Patan is a center of Buddhist and Hindu culture. The city is full of religious art, temples, and monasteries. Many religious festivals take place in Patan each year. One is the Buddha Jayanti festival, marking the birthday of Lord Buddha, which occurs on Jestha Purnima (full moon night in April or May).

The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated by Hindus at the Krishna Temple in Patan in August – September. Devotees gather at the Krishna Temple in Patan Durbar Square for a vigil through the night. The following day, the devotees visit all the Krishna shrines throughout the city.

The largest festival in Nepal is the Dashain festival in September to October. This festival takes place at the Palace Complex in Patan as well as in the other cities of the Kathmandu Valley and commemorates a victory by the gods over wicked demons. The celebration lasts 15 days and includes kite flying.

Travel & Tourism:

The city of Patan offers visitors the chance to see an abundance of exquisite works of religious art and architecture. In addition, adventurous travelers can find many opportunities for trekking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, aerial exploration of the Kathmandu Valley, and mountaineering. Many tours can be arranged from Kathmandu, just a few kilometers away.

Highlights & Features of the City and Surroundings:

• The four Ashoka Stupas, marking the four corners of Patan, are symbolic of the Buddhist Wheel of Righteousness (‘Dharma-Chakra’). Located at Pulchowk, Lagankhel, Ebahi and in Teta, t hese mounds are crowned with monuments that the Buddhist Emperor of India, Ashoka, is said to have erected in 250 B.C. Each stupa is different. Three of the mounds are covered in grass, whereas the fourth is a white mound with a colorful monument atop.
• In the heart of Patan and the Patan marketplace, Patan Durbar Square is filled with ancient palaces, pagoda temples, stone baths, Hindu and Buddhist statues, bas relief and engravings, and bronze carvings.
• The Palace of the Malla Kings is one of the highlights of a visit to Patan. In the palace complex lies the stone temple of Lord Krishna (‘Krishna Mandur’) with its 21 spires and bas-relief art depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics. The temple was built by King Siddhi Narasingha Malla in the 16th century A.D. The Royal Bath (known as ‘Tushahity’) is another showpiece of fine stone and bronze carving in the palace complex.

  Patan Durbar Square is one of seven monument zones in the Kathmandu Valley that together have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also located in the square is the Patan Museum, which houses bronze statues and religious objects, some dating back to the 11th century. This museum, which was originally a Malla palace, is open daily.

What to Do & See

• The Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), built in the 12th Century by King Bhaskar Verma, is located just north of Durbar square. This three-roof Buddhist monastery is adorned with a golden facade, four large gateways, a clock tower, and two lion sculptures. Inside are golden images of Buddha, wall carvings, and a prayer wheel.
• Just outside the Patan marketplace, the Rato (Red) Machhindranath Temple is dedicated to the god of rain and plenty. It has four doorways with intricate carvings, each with figures of lions, and statues of a variety of animals atop its pilars. Set into the base of the temple are prayer wheels. This temple is the site of the Rato Machhindranath celebrations, which include a parade with a temple chariot and end in a nearby village called Bungamati. This festival takes place during April and May every twelfth year.
• Rudra Varna Mahavihar is a Buddhist monastery with a temple and a courtyard that has many fine wood, bronze and stone statues. Kings were crowned in this temple in ancient times.
• The Patan Industrial Estate, located at Lagankhel (near Sat Dobato) in Pata is a destination for tourists interested in purchasing fine art and handicrafts from local artisans. Handicrafts such as wood carvings, metalwork, carpets, and paintings are available here.
• The Kumbheshwor Temple is one of only two 5 tiered temples in Nepal. Dating back to 1391, when it was built by JayastHiti Malla with two tiers, it hosts an annual pilgrimage of Hindus during the Janal Purnima day in July/August. During this event, Hindus of the Brahmin and Chhetri castes replace sacred thread that they wear over their shoulders while Jhankris beat drums and dance around the temple. Two ponds are believed to contain water that comes directly from a holy lake north of the Kathmandu Valley called Gosainkunda.
• Just east of Durbar Square lies the Mahaboudha Temple. Made of terracotta tiles, this ‘Temple of the Thousand Buddha’ is modeled after the temple of the same name in Bodhgaya, India, where Buddha is said to have reached enlightenment. Each brick in the structure bears the image of Buddha. Built by the priest Abhaya Raj, the temple is believed to date back to the late 16th century. It was felled by an earthquake in 1934 but was rebuilt (albeit in a somewhat different design).
• The Jagat Narayan Temple, located at Sankhamul, on the banks of the Bagmati, is a tall red brick building with many fine stone and metal statues. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• To the south of Patan lies Godavari Botanical Garden, with hundreds of varieties of flora, dense forest, and open areas, this garden is popular for picnicking, bird watching, hiking, and viewing butterflies.
• The Patan Zoo, in Jawalakhel, is the only zoo in Nepal. It was established as a private zoo in 1932 and opened to the public in 1956. It houses over 700 different animals, including 14 endangered species of Nepal. There is a pond where visitors can go boating. The zoo is closed on Mondays.
• The Tibetan Refugee Camp on the outskirts of Patan was set up in 1960 with the aid of the Red Cross and the Swiss Development Corporation to help Tibetan refugees become self-supporting. The camp has carpet factories where tourists are able to view the process for making traditional carpets from start to finish. In addition, handicrafts such as wood and metal prayer wheels are made and sold in souvenier shops.

Where to Stay

Information on where to stay in Patan is coming soon…

Getting There & Away

Tourists arrive in the Kathmandu Valley via Tribhuvan International Airport. Airlines flying into this airport include Royal Nepal Airlines, Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South-West Airlines, Druk Air, lndian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai lnternational.

Patan.com recommends comparing various airlines and ticketing agents with our Travel partner Booking Wiz. (see widget on top right of page)

From the airport, which lies 5.5 km east of Kathmandu, one can take prepaid taxis or buses or rent a car. From Kathmandu, one can take metered taxis or buses from the bus terminal at Gongabu to get to Patan. In addition, metered tempos (scooter taxis), and rickshaws are available. Bicycles and motorcycles can also be rented in Kathmandu.

Getting Around

Patan has buses and taxis, but the distances are short enough for walking. In order to drive a rental car, one needs either an International Driving Permit or a local temporary license. The International Driving Permit is valid in Nepal for 15 days. One can obtain a temporary local license by presenting a valid national license. The minimum driving age in Nepal is 18.

Introduction to Bhaktapur:

Located about 20 km east of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur is known as the ‘City of Devotees’, the ‘City of Culture’, the ‘Living Heritage’, and ‘Nepal’s Cultural Gem’. It is one of the 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The others are Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and Patan.

Bhaktapur is filled with monuments, most terra-cotta with carved wood columns, palaces and temples with elaborate carvings, gilded roofs, open courtyards. The city is dotted with pagodas and religious shrines.

Lying along the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, Bhaktapur is surrounded by mountains and provides a magnificent view of the Himalayas.

Trivia & Quick Points:

• Also called Bhadgaon and Khwopa (in the native tongue).
• Religions: Hindu 92%, Buddhist 7%
• Castes: Newar 63%, Brahman 10%, Chettri 18%, Tamang 5%
• Bhaktapur’s population is approximately 225,000.
• Main agricultural production: paddy, wheat, corn, pulse, millet, citrus, guava, pears, junar, haluwabed, cauliflower, peas, beans, cucumber, and pumpkin.
• Bhaktapur depends on tourism for about 60% of its revenues.
• No cars are allowed in Durbar Square; no heavy vehicles in central Bhaktapur.

Facts & Information:

History:

Founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Malla (according to various chronicles), Bhaktapur was the capital city of the Greater Malla Kingdom until the 15th century and was an independent kingdom from then until the 18th century.

The last three Malla rulers of Bhaktapur were Jitamitra Malla, Bhupatindra Malla, and Ranjit Malla. These rulers played key roles in building the palaces and temples of Durbar Square.

In 1744, Prithvi Narayan Shah, descendent of Dravya Shah, who was the founder of the Gorkha dynasty, began a conquest march in the Kathmandu Valley, capturing and unifying Kathmandu,Patan, Bhaktapur, and the smaller towns of the Valley under one rule.

After a period of instability and a bloody coup in 1846, Jang Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji took control of Nepal. His Rana dynasty ruled Nepal until 1951, when the Congress Party formed a new government. In 1960, King Mahendra took control, banned political parties, and instituted land reforms. Political turmoil continued throughout the late 20th century.

In 1934, a major earthquake destroyed over 2,000 houses and severely damaged over 2,000 more homes. Over 1,000 people died in this quake. Restoration of many buildings was undertaken over the years, including efforts funded by West Germany in the late 1980′s and by the U.S. in the 1990′s.

Visit Patan.com for more information on the history of Nepal.

Culture

Bhaktapur is filled with Hindu and Buddhist religious sites and art. Although the population is primarily Hindu, there are nineteen Buddhist monasteries (Vihars). At Indra Varna Madavihar, built in 1671 and located between Durbar Square and Dattatraya Square, visitors can see two lion statues, a Patinga Hiti (water spout), Tantric wood-carved windows, and prayer wheels.

There are also many Buddhist monuments and shrines, including Lokeswor Mahavihar, Prasannasheel Mahavihar, Chatu Brahma Mahavihar, Jaya Kirti Mahavihar, Sukra-varna Mahavihar, Dipanker Mahavihar.

Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year to mark the seasons, pay tribute to gods, and remember historical and legendary events. A few of these are:

* Dashain, the longest festival of the year, lasting 15 days. This festival honors the goddess Devi Durga, who is said to have slain the demon Durga, son of Ruru. Celebrants perform many pujas (offerings) during this festival, including thousands of animal sacrifices. (September/October)

* Gai-Jatra, the Cow Festival. This festival focuses on families in bereavement. Every family who lost a relative in the past year participates in a procession with a cow or a young boy dressed as a cow. The cow, it is believed, helps the deceased reach heaven. (July/August)

* Bisket Jatra, the Nepalese New Year celebration, in which chariots are pulled through the streets and ultimately a tug of war over them determines who will be blessed with good fortune in the coming year. This celebration is also observed with picnics and other private get-togethers. (April)

* Tihar, the festival of lights, honors Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. The Nepalese light up their homes with candles, oil lamps, and other lights to invite the goddess Laxmi in.

They also worship crows, dogs, and cows during this festival and set aside one day to honor brothers. The Mha puja, a day of revering one’s own body and life, is celebrated on one day of this festival. (October)

* Handicrafts - Tourists can watch potters create works of art in the Pottery Squares. Indigenous (Newar) handicrafts include paubha scroll paintings, papier-mâché masks, cotton cloth, woodcarvings, metalwork, jewelry and ceramic products, haku-patasi (black sari), black caps and Juju-dhau (yogurt).

Travel & Tourism:

Bhaktapur is rich in architectural beauty, filled with ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious sites, and palaces and courtyards where tourists can easily spend days absorbing the traditions and culture of the Newars.

Bhaktapur’s Durbar (‘Royal’) Square was added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1979.

Highlights & Features of the City and Surroundings:

Durbar Square

• Almost 1/3 of the ancient temples, monasteries, and other ornate buildings were destroyed in the earthquake of 1934. Yet many gems remain.
• In Durbar Square, tourists will find the 55-Window Palace, which served as the seat of royalty prior to 1769. The palace has elaborately carved windows and doors and houses the National Art Gallery, with Buddhist Paubha scroll paintings, palm leaf manuscripts, and stone carvings.
• Just outside the palace, at the entrance to the Taleju Temple Complex is the Golden Gate, built in 1756, a splendid example of Repoussé metalwork. There also lies the Royal Bath, with its Golden Faucet.
• Durbar Square is also home to the Big Bell, built by the last Malla king of Bhaktapur, Ranajit Malla in the 18th century. It was rung to pay homage to the Goddess Taleju and to harken the public to town meetings.

  Today it is rung twice a day as a tribute to the Goddess Taleju. Next to this bell is the Barking Bell, so named because dogs bark to its ring.

• Also in the Square lies the Yaksheswor Mahadev Temple, built by Yaksha Malla in the 15th century. It was modeled after the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu and was designed with ornate wooden struts decorated with erotic carvings.
• Other sites in and around the square include the octagonal Chyasin Mandap, Siddhi Laxmi Temple, Shiva Temple (Fasi-dega), Vatsala Temple, Bhandarkhal Complex, Chatu Brahma Mahavihar, Indrayani Temple, Balakhu Ganesh Temple, Tripura-sundari Temple and the Char Dham symbolizing the four greatest Hindu pilgrimage sites.
• The Phasi Dega Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, affords expansive views of the entire city.

Taumadhi Square

• The Nyatpol (or Nyatapola) Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi, lies in this square. Built in 1702 with 5 stories, this is Nepal’s tallest pagoda temple.

  It’s struts, doors, windows, and tympanums are decorated with carvings of divine figures, including a pair of 2 m high stone statues of the legendary Rajput wresters-Jaimal and Pata; a pair of elephants, a pair of lions, a pair of griffons and a pair of tantric goddesses known as Singhini and Toyahagrini.

• The Bhairavnath Temple, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934 and subsequently rebuilt, houses a gilded bust of the terrifying Bhairav, considered either a manifestation of Lord Shiva or a deity that guards his home.
• Also here are a Pottery Square and the Temple of Jeth Ganesh, dating back to the 14th century.

Dattatreya Square

• In this square, lie many of Bhaktapur’s Hindu monasteries, called maths, as well as temples and museums. The three-story pagoda-style Dattatreya Temple, with statues of the Hindu trinity, was built by King Yaksha Malla in 1428. It is claimed that the building was constructed from a single piece of wood from one tree. 

  At the entrance are two large sculptures of the Jaiput wrestlers, Jaimala and Pata (as in the Nyatapola Temple), a “Chakra”, and a gilded metal statue of Garuda, a bird-like divinity. Around the temple are wood carved panels with erotic decorations.

• During the Mohani (Dashain) festival, in the Wane Layaku complex, which lies just southwest of the Dattatreya Temple, a rare Ghau-batacha (water clock) is displayed.
• The Pujari Math, which houses the Woodcarving Museum and dates back to the early 15th century, is adorned with the intricately carved Peacock Window. The Chikanpha Math, across the street, houses the Brass and Bronze Museum, with its collection of ancient Malla housewares and ritual metalware.
• In Dattatreya Square, lies a Pottery Square, where potters work and display their handicrafts.

What to Do & See Around Bhaktapur

• Nagarkot - The second-highest point on the Kathmandu Valley rim, Nagarkot, at an altitude of 2,175, offers panoramic views of the Himalayas and Mt. Everest. It lies 20 km northeast of Bhaktapur. The area offers hiking trails that lead into Tamang villages.
• Changu Narayan - The oldest temple in the valley, build in 464 AD by Kind Mandev, the Changu Narayan lies 6 km north of Bhaktapur. A popular hiking trail leads from here to Nagarkot.
• Thimi - Thimi is a traditional Newar city noted for its a vegetable garden and handicrafts. It lies about 5 km west of Bhaktapur.
• Bode - This town, about a 20-minute walk from Thimi, hosts the the river-side shrine of Nil Barahi. Each year on the second day of the Nepalese New Year, the town celebrates the tongue-boring festival, in which a villager has a thin metal spike thrust through his tongue by the temple’s priest. After parading around town carrying a bamboo rack of oil lamps, the spike is removed and packed with mud from the temple floor. If no blood flows, the villager earns great respect for himself and the town; however, if blood flows it is considered a bad omen for the coming year.
• Surya Vinayak Shrine - The Surya Vinayak is just a 10 to 20 minute walk from Bhaktapur and attracts visitors and locals praying for good luck to the god Ganesh. The shrine is located in a forest at the top of a hill.

Where to Stay

Bhaktapur has no deluxe hotels but can accomodate tourists in a total of 130 standard rooms throughout the city. Information on where to stay in Bhaktapur is coming soon… 

Getting There & Away

Tourists arrive in the Kathmandu Valley via Tribhuvan International Airport. Airlines flying into this airport include Royal Nepal Airlines, Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South-West Airlines, Druk Air, lndian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai lnternational.

Bhaktapur.com recommends comparing various airlines and ticketing agents with our Travel partner Booking Wiz. (see widget on top right of page)

From the airport, which lies 5.5 km east of Kathmandu, one can take taxis or buses or rent a car with a driver. One can take them back to Kathmandu from just outside Bhaktapur as well.

Getting Around

Inside the city limits of Bhaktapur, motor vehicles are not allowed. Outside the city limits, buses and taxis are available.