Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is an ancient royal palace in the Kathmandu Valley. It was not a proper palace until the 14th Century when the Kathmandu Valley was a single kingdom. Patan royal palace had no regular kings, so sometimes, the kings from Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, and Gorkha would rule from this palace. Our Bhaktapur and Patan day tour packages include this palace.
Patan's real name is Lalitpur. Lalitpur means the city of fine arts, and Patan means flat land. The first inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley lived in this city. It is one of Nepal's ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
History of Patan
Patan was established during 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 city of Patan was under the king of Kathmandu when Ratna Malla was the king. Around 1580, Shiva Singha Malla (King of Kathmandu) was 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 Malla. 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 a Garden
- Fine arts and carvings
- Pagoda temples and more
Golden Temple is also known as Hiranya Varna Mahabihar. Bhaskar Varma is an old Buddhist Monastery and temple built in the 12th Century. Krishna Mandir, a big stone temple with many pinnacles, is one of the famous temples where Hindus celebrate Krishna Janma Asthami in August. Several old Pagoda temples and wooden carvings are phenomenally decorated in this place.
