Sightseeing Tour-Around Patan City

Patan Dabar Square

Patan Durbar Square is situated in the heart of Lalitpur district; on the southern bank of the Bagmati River about five km south west of Kathmandu. Patan Dabar Square is one of the historical sites listed in world Heritage List by UNESCO in 1979. It is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples. Patan is regarded as the oldest city among three cities in the valley. This whole city is known as the city of metal works and artists. Patan Dabar Square is highly populated by Newars, mostly are Buddhists. Among historical sites, Patan Durbar square is the most amazing site. Square boasts of many famous sites and unique architectures. The museum inside the Durbar is known as one of the best museums in Asia. It specializes in bronze statues and religious objects. It opens daily at 9 am to 5 pm. It is closed only three days during Dashain and three days during Tihar, Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar square was built to honor an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is the best example of stone architecture in Nepal. Scenes from the Mahabharat, Asia's greatest mythological war, are carved on the wall of this temple. The Bhimsen temple is to honor Bhimsen-great wrestler, brother of Pandavs and a deity to Nepalese Businessmen, contains fine sample of metal craft. The best place, however, to see metal sculpture is the Hiranya Varna Mahabihar, the "Golden Temple". Mahabouddha Temple and Uku Bahol are also good sites. Many more temples dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant headed God, Shiva Narsingha, Taleju and others are situated in the Patan Durbar square. Many tourists and pilgrims form a big crowd everyday with uncountable pigeons.

Patan Durbar square was the Royal complex during the Malla Dynasty and stood as the capital part till the 17th century. The square is built of ancient palaces, temples, shrines and statues noted for their exquisite carvings. The last of Malla Dynasty was late king Tej Narsingh Malla. The Keshab Narayan Chowk, Taleju Bhawani Chowk and Sundari Chowk are main spots. The single stone pillar on which late king Yog Narendra Malla sits facing the Taleju Bhawani Temple to the cardinal direction of east and the Gigantic Bell to its right are also worth seeing. The important sites in Patan Durbar square include the Golden Gate and the Golden window of the old palace, beautiful, traditional metal crafts, Krishna temple with 21 golden pinnacles, the Royal bath of Sundari Chowk, Taleju temple, Viswa Nath Temple and Char Narayan Temple, which are the finest examples of wood carvings. The Bhimnsen Temple is famous for the magnificent golden balcony overlooking square. Chyasi Dega Manga Hiti and Mulchowk are also interesting sites.

Hiranya Varna Mahabihar

This three storyed golden pagoda of Lokeshwar was built by king Bhaskar varma dated to 12th century A.D. It has a golden image of Lord Buddha on the upper floor and a large prayer wheel on a pedestal. Intricate decorative patterns on its outer wall add charm to the richness of this shrine.

Kumbheshwar Mandir

This temple was built by King Jayasthiti Malla. This is only the five storied pagoda in Patan, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The golden finial was added later in 1422 A.D. During his time, the pond was cleaned and various images of Ganesh, Sitala, Narayan, Basuki, Gauri, Kirtimukh and Ama Madevata were added around the pond and courtyard. It is belived that a natural spring within the courtyard of this temple has its source in the very popular holy lake of Gosainkunda. Each year thousands of devotees visit here for bathing on the day of Janai Poornima.

Jagat Narayan Temple

Jagat Narayan Temple is located on the bank of Bagmati River at Sankhamul, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is made up of red bricks and has many fine images. An attractive metal statue of Garuda mounted on a stone monolith is accompanied by several images of Ganesh and Hanuman.

Mahabouddha Temple

This temple is one of the most attractions of Patan city. It is famous temple in Patan and is unique for in thousand little images of Buddha in terracotta. This artistically built Shikhara style temple is a fine specimen and owes it existence to a priest named by Abhaya Raj. Each brick on the surface contains Buddha's image. The new one has been built after its destruction by earth quake in 1933.

Ashoka Stupas

There are four stupas supposedly built by the Emperor Ashoka in 250 A.D although there is less evidence of his visit in Kathmandu. During that time Buddhism was flourished. Marking the four corners of Patan three are mounds of earth with prayer wheels around them and the fourth is a beautiful concrete stupa near Shankhamul.

Machhendranath Temple

This temple lies in the middle of a wide, specious quadrangle just at the outer rim of the market place in Patan. This is the temple of Red Machhendranath, the God of rain. A clay image of Avalokiteshwar is kept here for six months each year, after which it is placed on a chariot and taken round the city of Patan in a colorful procession festival that falls on during April-May.

The Tibetan Refugee Camp

In the early 1960s, a large number of Tibetans had come to Nepal from Tibet and settled here and Nepal Government built this Tibetan Refugee camp on the outskirts of Patan. Then, carpet industry began to flourish because of their carpet weaving skills. The camp has shops that sell carpets and handicrafts such as prayer wheels made of wood, ivory, bronze or silver along with buckles, wooden bowls and jewellery. A number of shrines have been built in the camp. The camp has become one of the tourist areas.

Around Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur is one of the older home land of Newar people. It is also known as "the city of Devotees" and "Bhadgaon". It is 14 km southeast of Kathmandu and accessible by public taxi, bus, cab and auto-rikshaw etc. Most of the tourists get surprised by its rich clay craftsmanship and architecture. This city is full of Hindu temples. According to the legend this city was founded in 889 A.D. by late king Ananda Dev who belonged to the famous Lichhabi dynasty. The city portrays the prosperity of the Malla kings and Lichhabi kings among all, the most striking attraction of Bhaktapur Durbar square is 55 windows palace (Pachpanna Jhyale Durbar) built by late king Vupatindra Malla (1696-1722) in 1700 A.D. who had engineering skills. The Golden Gate bricks-paved courtyard, the most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind in the entire world, was built by late king Ranjit Malla. This gate is embellished with deities and monsters with marvelous intricracy. The 55 windows palace is a unique type of structure. Among 55 windows, the first ten windows face to the west thirty five windows face to the south and the remaining ten faces to the east. The Golden Gate, the gigantic Bell , the stone pillars of late king Vupatindra Malla and the chay slin Mandap (Octoganal Pagoda) look generous there is the bronze bell on the terrace of temple known as the "Bell of Barking Dogs" which was placed in 1737 A.D. and used to give signal curfew in those days. Moreover the national Art Gallery, Taleju Vawani Temple, the Nyata-poul Temple, the Batsala Temple, the statue of king Bhupatindra Malla are major attractions for tourists. Newar art and architecture here reveal the best craftsmanship of the Malla period (12th and to 18th century). Pottery and wearing form its traditional industries. People make yogurt known as "Juju Dhau" or "King Curd" Bhaktapur Durbar Square is listed is world Heritage list by UNESCO in 1979.

Datta Traya Square

Around 4 sq km city area, the second major attraction for tourists is Datta Traya Square. It was also built by late king Bhupatindra Malla in the 17th centuries in Pagoda style. It is believed that this temple was built by the woods sawed out of a single tree. This three storied temple is dedicated to the three-headed Deity of the orthodox Hindus, symbolizing the combination of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Maheshwar (the Destroyer). The square deserves a marvelous gallery of intricate wood carvings. This showed the craftsmanship of medieval period, showing charming paved roads, red bricks houses and a way of life. In its periphery you can see temples and monasteries. The Art Gallery includes ancient manuscripts, thankas, stone sculpture and antique paintings belonging Hindu and Buddhists traditions.

Siddha Pokhari

Siddha Pokhari is one of the largest water tanks in Bhaktapur to supply drinking water built by late king Yakshya Malla in the 15th century. This large tank is occasionally opened for fishing and boating.

Nyatapola Temple

This is the unique temple of Bhaktapur, Literally means "Five storied" is also having distinction of having withstood the devastating earthquake in 1933. It is dedicated to trantic goddess and the leading steps are flanked by stone sculptures. There are two statues of Malla era wrestlers at the base representing humans and in ascending order of power and strength; there are creatures each ten times powerful the preceding era.

Batsala Temple

This stone temple of Batsala Devi is famous for intricate carvings and the bronze bell that was put by King Ranjit Malla in 1737 A.D to announce the beginning and end of the daily curfew. Locally it is known as "The bell of barking dogs" as it gives howling sounds. These days, it was rung when the priests worship Goddess Taleju.

Bhairavnath Temple

Bhairarnath Temple was set up by king Jagat Jyoti Malla and later improved by king Bhupatindra Malla, the expert artist, dedicated to Kasi Bhairav, the dangerous aspect of Lord Shiva. It has only the head of Bhairav in the inner santum. Legend has it that Kasi Bhairav's head was cut off by a tantric expert in order to keep him in Bhaktapur. It is a worth-visiting.

Thimi

The potter's town of Thimi is 10 km east of Kathmandu. Most of the people are engaged in pottery. It supplies its pottery and vegetables to Kathmandu. The most important deity here is Goddess Balkumari. The medieval lifestyle of the farmers is main attraction here.

Changu Narayan Temple

This the oldest Hindu temple situated on a magnificent hill top 6 km north of Bhaktapur. This temple was built by Hari Burma in 323 A.D beloged to the Lichhabi Dynasty and later inscription was put by king Man Dev in 464 A.D. This temple is called "sako changu" by the local ethnic Newars. This is the temple of Lord Vishnu or dedicated to Champak Narayan. The two roofed pagoda temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings. Two tiered temples a couple of stone elephants, a form of Narayan, having 10 arms going through the different layers of univers are its main features. There is also image of Garuda, the mythical bird that serves as Vishnu's heavenly vehicle. It is important and valuable temple.

Kirtipur town

Kirtipur is known as "the city of glory" which is located to the 8 km south west of Kathmandu. Nepal's central University "Tribhuvan University" stands at the foot of the hill this town was founded by Shiva Dev between 1099 and 1126 B.C historically, it is famous for its resistance against the invasion of Gorkhas. The king of Gorkha Prithivi Narayan Shah attacked there time to conquer this city. There are many small and big temples and stupas scattered around the city the Baghvhairav Temple and the Chilamchu stupa are major religious sites most of the inhabitants are farmers here. Besides it, spinning and weaving are prevailed here. The houses are still carrying vivid carved windows.

Chobhar

Chobhar is situated 9 km south west of Kathmandu. Legends say that there was very big lake in Kathmandu valley and the god Manjushree cut of the hill with his sword to outlet the water and when all water drained out, then settlements originated in the valley. At present, it has been famous for its deep gorge. The Adinath Temple on the top of hill is picturesque from where complete views of snowcapped mountains can be taken. The most remarkable things of the temple are numerous water vessels, pots and pans nailed to boards all along the building. A massive stone Shikkara is beloved to be the entrance to a stone cave that cuts through the hill, emerging at the Chobhar Cave.

Dakshinkali Temple

The temple of Dakshinkali is 22 km south of Kathmnandu, passing though Pharping village. The temple was built by Pratap Malla in the 17 th century. The temple is one of the famous Hindu pilgrimages dedicated to Goddess Kali or "Southern Kali". A number of devotes arrive here on Tuesday and Saturday every week to sacrifice animals offering goddess Kali. According to mythology, Goddess Durga had killed demon and drank blood. It is believed that she gives energy and will power to her devotees. The six armed goddess, trampling a male human, stands in the company of Ganesh, seven Ashta Matrikas and a stone image of Bhairav. In the inner santum, there is black stone idol of Kali. Besides, religious popularity, this spot has become a famous picnic spot. Every year half million pilgrim's visit here.

Nagarkot

There are many spectacular mountains in Nepal which serve unimaginable features to onlookers. Among them, around Kathmandu valley, Nagarkot is known as the best tourist resort. Nagarkot lies to 32 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175m best tourist spot. Most of the never miss to visit Nagarkot for heart touching views of sunrise and sunset. Spending a night here is superb one. Tourists can get facilities for lodging and fooding as their wishes because of the excellent lodges and hotels you can reach their by car, van or bus with easy drive through Bhaktapur. You can have the panoramic views of the eastern giant Himalays such as Mt. Everest (8,848m) , Ganesh Himal (7,111m), Langtang (7,246m) Gaurishankar (7134m) and Mt. Manasalu (8,156m) clearly an the clear weathered days.

Kakani

Kakani is one of the most beautiful destinations for tourists. It is located at an altitude of 2,037m and 29 km northwest of Kathmandu. It is famous for the fabulous and magnificent views of panoramic snow giants. From the hilltop, excellent views of Ganesh Himal, Himalchuli (7893m), Manasalu (8163m), Annapurna (8094m ), Gaurishanker (7134), Choba Bamte (6,016m), Dorje Lakpa and so on Kakani is one of the famous picnic spot for the people in Kathmandu located besides the rode heading for Trishuli, During spring wild flowers cover the hillside. The trekking begins at Balaju (Kathmandu) and terminates at Kaule from where road bifurcates.

Dhulikhel

Dhulikhel is ancient town located at 32 km. east of Kathmandu along the Araniko Highway (Kathmandu-Kodari), the way to Tibet and famous for its scenic beauty and tradition-lovely place. It is 3 km away from Banepa. Dhulikhel in small town inhabited by Newar community but one of the best vantage points to view the great range of mountains like; Annapurna Range, Langtang, Gaurishanker, Choba Bhamte etc. There are resorts and tourist /visitors can stay overnight there.

Namo Buddha

Name Buddha which means "Hail the Buddha" is situated at an altitude of 1,700m above Panauti, 30 km. east of Kathmandu. It is one of the famous holy places for Buddhists and Hindus pilgrims. It needs to drive or hike, walk to be there. There is an amazing story concerning Buddha being commemorated by an ancient stone slab and a stupa with the all jeeing eyes of Lord Buddha it is an ideal place for meditation.

The trek to Namobuddha starts from Tudhikhel (1,600m) from where a rough trails climbs steeply to Kavre, a village inhabited by Brahmin, Chhetris, Tamangs and Newars. In clear weather, there you can have good magnificent views of snowy massifs to the north and peaks such as Gang Chenpo (6,390m), Dorje Lakpa (6,990m), Pharb Chyachu (6,658m) and Gaurishanker (7,145m). After two hour uphill walk, the ancient pilgrimage Name Buddha is reached. There is a small village around the stupa and the top of the hill is adorned with prayer flags, chortens, and monasteries.