|
|
|
. |
|
. |
|
About
Patan |
|
Patan (Sanskrit: पाटन, Nepal Bhasa: यल,
Yala), officially Lalitpur, is one of the major cities of Nepal. It is one of
the sub-metropolitan cities of Nepal located in the south-western part of
Kathmandu valley. It is best known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly
its tradition of arts and crafts. |
|
History |
|
Lalitpur is
believed to have been founded in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty and
later expanded by Licchavis in the sixth century. It was further expanded by the
Mallas during the medieval period. There are many legends after its name. The
most popular one is the legend of the God Rato Machhindranath, who was brought
to the valley from Kamaru Kamachhya, located in Assam, India, by a group of
three people representing three kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley. One of them
was called Lalit, a farmer who carried God Rato Machhindranath to the valley all
the way from Assam, India. The purpose of bringing the God Rato Machhindranath
to the valley was to overcome the worst drought in the valley. There was a
strong belief that the God Rato Machhindranath will make rain in the valley. It
was due to Lalit's effort that the God Rato Machhindranath was settled in
Lalitpur. Many believe that the name of the town is kept after his name Lalit
and pur meaning township.
Lalitpur said to have been founded by King Veer Deva in 299 A.D. but, there is
unanimity among scholars that Patan was a well established and developed town
since ancient times. Several historical records including many other legends
also indicate that Patan is the oldest of all the cities of Kathmandu Valley.
According to a very old Kirat chronicle, Patan was founded by Kirat rulers long
before the Licchavi rulers came into the political scene in Kathmandu Valley.
According to that chronicle, the earliest known capital of Kirat rulers was
Thankot. Kathmandu, the present capital was most possibly removed from Thankot
to Patan after the Kirati King Yalamber came into power sometimes around second
century A.D.
One of the most used and typical Newar names of Patan is Yala. It is said that
King Yalamber named this city after himself and ever since this ancient city was
known as Yala. |
|
Historical
Monuments |
|
The city was
initially designed in the shape of the Buddhist Dharma-Chakra (Wheel of
Righteousness). The four thurs or mounds located on the perimeter of Patan are
ascribed around, one at each corner of its cardinal points, which are popularly
known as Ashoka Stupas. Legend has it that Emperor Ashoka (Legendary King of
India) visited with his daughter Charumati to Kathmandu in 250 B.C. and erected
five Ashoka Stupas, four in the surrounding and one at the middle of the Patan.
The size and shape of these stupas seem to breathe their antiquity in a real
sense. There are more than 1,200 Buddhist monuments of various shapes and sizes
scattered in and around the city.
The most important monument of the city is Patan Durbar Square, which has been
listed by UNESCO as one of seven Monument Zones that make up the Kathmandu
Valley World Heritage Site.
Patan City was planned in Vihars and Bahils. Out of 295 Vihars and Bahils of the
valley 56% of them are in Patan. The water conduits, stone spouts, Jaladroni
(water tanks), artistic gate ways, Hindu temples and Buddhist Vihars adorn the
city. The in built cultural heritage like the royal palace, with intricately
carved doors and windows and beautiful courtyards adorned with exquisite icons
enhance the beauty of the city. Such art pieces are found in stone, metal,
terracotta ivory and other objects. All these artefacts exhibit artistic
excellence of the craftsmen and the whole city looks like an open museum. |
|
World
Heritage Site |
|
The monument zone
of Patan Durbar Square is one of the seven monument zone of Kathmandu Valley.
The seven monument zones were included in the World Heritage List in 1979 as one
integrated site. All these monument zones are declared as the protected monument
zones according to the Monuments Preservation Act of 1956. For the restoration
of public and private monument norms and standards determined by the Department
of Archaeology as per the fixed norms of UNESCO/ICOMOS. Patan monument zone is
marked by marker stone placed at different points in the delineated area. A
plaque has been put with the sing of World Heritage Centre. |
|
Places of
interest |
|
Patan is renowned as a very artistic
city. Most of the Nepalese art of any form is devoted to Gods, and there are an
abundance of temples and vihara in the city. Notable places of interest include:
• Patan Durbar Square: The residence of the Malla rulers of the then Patan state
which is now converted
into a museum.
• Hiranya Varna Mahaa Vihar: A Buddhist temple known locally as Golden temple
• Rudra Varna Mahavihar
• Mahaboudha Temple
• Banglamukhi temple: A Hindu temple
• Kumbeshwor temple: One of the two five-story pagoda temples of the valley |
|
|
|
|
|
