PATAN - World Heritage site by UNESCO

Patan, also known as Lalitpur is situated about 5 kms. south-west of the Kathmandu valley. Patan is the second largest city of Nepal and known for its artistic temples and sculptures. Patan is the most artistic and architectural centre of the valley due to the famous Durbar Square, 55 major temples and 136 monasteries. The visitors can buy superb souvenirs in paintings, bronze, brass, stone and wood.
There are about 55 temples and 136 monasteries in Patan. It is believed that these monasteries were first built by the king Mandev of Lichchhavi dynasty. Patan also has a zoo that houses various specimens of Himalayan and Terai wildlife including deer and the Bengal tiger. The main tourist attractions in Patan are Durbar Square, Mahaboudha Temple, Hiranyavarna Mahavihara or Golden Temple or Kwa Bahal and Kumbheshwar Temple.

Hiranyavarna Mahavihara
The Hiranyavarna Mahavihara is the most important monastery in Patan. Hiranyavarna Mahavihara, also known as the Golden Temple and Kwa Bahal, was established by King Bhaskardev Verma in 1018. This monastery takes its name from the gold-plated roof which was dedicated by a rich merchant. This monastery is visited by various devotees and tourists. This monastery is very unique as it preserves the traditions of the Vajrayana sect of Buddhism. This monastery is a lively, vibrant and open museum full of the Newar Buddhist pantheon, in masterpieces of art and sculpture reflecting Buddhist thought and way of Hiranyavarna Mahavihara or Golden Temple Patan life. Inside the shrine is a frieze that depicts the life of the Buddha, prayer wheels and the strong Hindu component of some images that indicate the extent of religious cross-fertilization in the valley. The courtyard has a richly decorated three-storey temple with a golden image of Lord Buddha.

Kumbheshwar Temple
The Kumbheshwar Temple is situated nearby Durbar Square. This 5-storeyed temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the oldest temple in Patan. There is a tank in the courtyard and it is said that water comes directly from the holy lake, the Gosainkunda. It is finely proportioned with numerous carvings including the figures of Ganesh, Narayan and other deities. There are small Bhairab and Baglamukhi temples around the main structure.

Mahaboudha Temple
The Mahaboudha Temple, also known as the temple of one thousand Buddhas is located at the south of Durbar Square. This temple was built in the 16th century and severely damaged by an earthquake in 1934. This temple of terracotta and tile is tightly secured by the surrounding buildings. This temple looks like the Mahabodhi temple at Bodhgaya in Bihar. Each brick used in the temple contains an image of the Buddha. From the top, you can have a good look of the Patan town.

Durbar Square
Durbar Square is located in the centre of the city. It has ancient palaces, Hindu temples, Buddhist shrines and many fascinating sculptures. Most of the buildings were built during the 13th century by the Malla king Siddhi Narsingh. In Durbar Square, the ancient Royal palace and temple are situated on the right side. Towards the west are Krishna Temple and various other temples. Patan’s biggest marketplace, the Mangal Bazar, is also a part of the Durbar Square. The first temple to the right of the square is the three-storey Bhimsen Temple. This temple has a lion pillar in front of it and was built in 1682. Near this temple is the Vishwanath Temple. This two-storey temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva and has a linga. The two stone elephants guard the entrance and Nandi, the Bull guards the rear. The Krishna Temple is set further back from the main temple. This temple is built using the stone and a combination of the early Mughal and Nagara styles of temple architecture. The Garuda kneels atop a pillar and faces the temple. The carvings on its pillars have the various fine scenes from the Mahabharata on the first floor and the Ramayana on the second floor. Also set on a high pillar is the statue of King Yoganarendra Malla who ruled Patan in the 18th century. A bird sits on top of the statue and according to the legends, as long as the bird remains on the statue, the king may return to its palace. The Royal Palace is a fine three-storey structure marked by its golden gate and bronze windows. It is believed that the spirits of the Malla kings still reside there. This palace has the carved roof struts and the gilded metal window over the entrance is flanked by carved ivory windows.

Rato Machendranath Temple
The Rato (Red) Machendranath Temple is situated a little away from the centre of Patan. This temple is considered by the Buddhists as the home of the god Avalokiteshwara in his Tantric form. This temple belongs to 1673 and stands in a courtyard filled with sculptures of horses, lions and bulls, symbols of the Tibetan calendar. There are four richly adorned entrances that leads to the shrine which houses the large-eyed clay image of Avalokiteshwara, decorated with jewellery and garlands.

Tibetan Refugee Camp
The Tibetan Refugee Camp is located at Jawalakhel. In 1959, following the flight of Dalai Lama and other Tibetans, various refugees were accommodated in the Tibetan Refugee Camp. This camp was set up with the Swiss assistance and now, a permanent settlement. This place also has a handicrafts centre that sell carpets, blankets, jackets and pullovers made by the refugees there and here, you can also see these things being made by them.

Khokana
Khokana is a village development committee in Lalitpur District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 4258 living in 699 individual households.[1]
Khokana, a traditional and tiny Newari village eight kilometers south of Kathmandu (on the outskirts of Patan), which has its own history and has retained its tradition and culture. It is a living museum and recalls medieval times. The farming community of Newars who live here are mostly dependent on agriculture and much of their daily activities take place outside of their dwellings.
There are women sitting outside spinning, men crushing seeds, and other daily activities. The village is famous for its unusual mustard-oil harvesting process in which a heavy wooden beam is used to crush the mustard seeds in order to extract the oil. It is believed that a share system was used in the past here. This oil can be consumed if desired, but it can also be used for therapeutic massage. This was also the first village, indeed the first habitation, to be electrified, before Kathmandu.[citation needed]
In the center is a three-storey temple, Shree Rudrayani, with a particularly wide main street, especially for a village of such small size. Khokana has been nominated to be listed as a World Heritage Site, Khokana, representing a vernacular village and its mustard-oil seed industrial heritage.[citation needed]
"Khokana is a unique village which can be taken as a model of a medieval settlement pattern with a system of drainage and chowks. It houses chaityas and a Mother Goddess temple. The mustard-oil seed industry has become the living heritage of the village." Unesco World Heritage.[citation needed]
In January the Khokana festival is held to showcase the unique aspects of the village. Cultural Newari dances, such as the Thimi dance and Devi dance, Newari food, such as Newar Pancake (Who), a sweat steamed snack bursting with golden syrup and sesame (Yomari) and strong Nepali wine (Yela), crafts, music and the towns mustard production were all on display.