Patan
Patan, also known as Lalitpur, is a separate city from Kathmandu. The short walk from Kathmandu to Patan goes through narrow alleys leading to quiet residential courtyards, old temples, and past the colour of daily life. The backstreets are calm and quiet, and make a wonderful way to explore daily life and appreciate the traditional Newari architecture, both new and old. Stumbling across welcoming old temples full of activity and people celebrating their religion add to the wonder of the experience. The summer rain made the scents more intense and the atmosphere all the more magical. Look carefully and you may see someone tucked away quietly painting a stunning “tangka” on silk. The colours are usually vibrant and the scenes depict aspects of the life of Buddha.
Durbar Square
In contrast, Patan’s own Durbar Square is buzzing with people going to worship, others presenting themselves as tourist guides, and many simply enjoying the awe-inspiring sights. It is easy to spend hours exploring the many impressive historic and monumental Hindi temples in the square.
The photos below were taken before the devastating impact of the 2015 earthquake. Important restoration projects are bringing Durbar Square back to its former glory and encouraging a new appreciation for their magnificence.
The Golden Temple – Kua Bahal
Around Patan
