Patan is also known as Lalitpur which is one of the metropolitan cities situated in Kathmandu Valley. Manigal is also another name of Lalitpur. This city is famous for its arts and craft tradition and for its rich cultural heritage. The city is well known for it’s an ancient art, statues made up of metals and stones, feast and festivals. The best part is that there is no sound of vehicle in the city but the city is full of sound of tinkering which is produced by craftsmen while shaping statues.

Around Patan

Hiranya Varna Mahabihar is three storied building built in pagoda style by King Bhaskar Varma in Patan. The best part is that one can see a huge prayer wheel mounted on a pedestal and a golden image of Lord Buddha in the upper part of the temple. Outer walls are decorated with different patterns which makes it more fascinating.

Kumbheshwar: There is only five storied building in Patan famous with the name of Kumbheshwar temple which is the temple of Lord Shiva. This temple has two ponds, it is believed that the water is there in two ponds comes from Gosaikunda. During the time of King Jayasthiti Malla ponds get cleaned and many images of god were placed in courtyard and near to the pond. Images like Ganesha, Gauri, Narayana, Agamadevata, Basuki, Sitala, and Kirtimukh were placed near to the pond.  On the special day of Janai Poornima devotees used to visit the place for ritual bath.

Jagat Narayan: One of the famous temples named Jagat Narayana temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated on the Bank of river named Bagmati River. This temple is built in shikhara type and it is built by red bricks. There is one statue of Garuda which is very attractive and many fine images of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha were placed near to it. Images in the temple are one of the best examples of ancient fine art.

Mahaboudha: is one of the unique temples known in Patan as this temple has 1000’s of images of Lord Buddha which small in size. This temple is modeled just like a temple of Bodh Gaya named Mahabodhi Temple. This temple is built in shikhara type, each and every brick of this temple consist of image of Lord Buddha.

Ashoka Stupas: Another attraction of Patan is Ashoka Stupas. There are four Ashoka Stupas there in Patan one is located near Shankamul which is one of the beautiful stupa.

Machhendranath Temple: has great importance in Patan as this is the temple of God of Rain. For six months image of Machhendranath which is made up of clay is placed in the temple each year. In the month of April-may a festival begins in which beautiful procession was taken around. 

The Tibetan Refugee Camp: There is one Tibetan Refugee Camp which was established by Nepal government when lots of Tibetans left their home in Tibet and settle down in Nepal in 1960. This camp is situated in the outer part of Patan. there are souvenir shops in which handmade things sell by people lived in a camp like carpets, ivory, prayer wheels which is made up of wood, wooden bowls, jewellery, belt buckles etc.