Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is an ancient royal palace in the Kathmandu valley. This was not a proper palace before the 14th Century when the Kathmandu valley was a single kingdom. Patan royal palace had no regular kings, so sometimes the king from Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, and Gorkha would rule from this palace. Patan Durbar Square includes our Bhaktapur and Patan day tour packages.
The real name of the Patan is Lalitpur. Lalitpur means the city of fine arts, and Patan means the flat land. The first inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley were in this city. This is one of the world heritage sites of Nepal from out of 10 UNESCO sites in Nepal.
History of Patan
Patan was established in the period of the Kirat dynasty, and the place was known as Thal in the Kirat language. Some monuments were developed in the Lichchhavi period in this place. The Patan city was under the king of Kathmandu when Ratna Malla was the king here. Around 1580, Shiva Singha Malla (King of Kathmandu) made king here to Siddhi Narasimha Malla, making Patan an independent country. Shriniwas Malla (Son of Siddhinarasimha Malla) tried to be against his father in 1658; Siddhinarasimha Malla knew and made king to his son Shriniwas Mala. Several kings ruled the country Bhaskar Malla from Kathmandu to become king in this palace. The brother of king Prithvi Narayan Shaha from Gorkha was also the king of Patan in 1763. Prithvi Narayan Shaha won Patan in 1768 and merged with his country. This place was registered as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979.
Things to See in Patan Durbar Square
- Golden Temple (12th Century)
- Kumbheshwar Mahadeva temple (15th Century)
- The Patan royal palace (Museum)
- Beautiful Yards and Garden
- Fine arts and carvings
- Pagoda temples and more
Golden temple is known as Hiranya Varna Mahabihar, a Buddhist monastery, and an old temple. It was made in the 12th Century by Bhaskar Varma. A big stone temple with many pinnacles, Krishna Mandir is one of the famous temples where Hindu people celebrate Krishna Janma Asthami in August. Several old Pagoda temples and wooden carvings are phenomenal and decorated in this place.
