PATAN DURBAR SQUARE

Patan Durbar Square:
Introduction: Patan Durbar Square is situated in the Mangal Bazar of Lalitpur Municipality of Lalitpur district. This square is located at 5km southeast of Kathmandu and consists of palaces of Malla kings and temples. There are fine pagoda and Shikhara style temples, stone statues and unique artistic Newar architectures in this durbar square. The pala

ces and temples were built during Malla period. Also known as Lalitpur or Yala De (Newari) this square is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. This diversity of the mediaeval culture that allowed both Hinduism and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy of impressive sightseeing.

Main attractions: One of the most popular site of Patan Durbar square is the Shikhara style Krishna Mandir which was built by king Siddhi Narsingh Malla in the 17th century. It is supposed to be the 1st specimen of Shikhara Style temple all madein stone. Most of the important scenes from the asient Hindu epics like Mahabharata and Ramayan have been engrdued on its frizes.

Patan Museum: The museum inside the Durbar and specializes in bronze statues and religious objects. It is situated in Keshav Narayan Chowk. It was actually opened in 1997 but the building it is situated in dates itself as made in 1734. It is considered as one of the best museum in Asia as a whole.
3 Main Chowks: The main attraction of Patan Durbar Square is the ancient Royal palace indeed. It consists of three main courtyards (Mul chowk, Sundari Chowk and Mani Chowk, Narayan Chowk) The northeastern corner of the Mul chowk is the 3 storied octagonal temple of Taleju Bhawani built by King Shree Niwas Malla in 1667. The Sundari Chowk holds in its centre a masterpiece of stone sculptures popularly known as Royal Bath, Between central Mul chowk and Mani Keshab Narayan Choowk lies a temple of Degu Taleju looking out into the Main Square.