Popularly known as Patan<\/em> in Sanskrit and Yala<\/em> in Nepali language<\/a> in ancient times, this city is represented by its rich cultural heritage, specifically the tradition of art and crafts, which give it the name: City of Festivals and Feasts, Fine Ancient Art, Metallic Making and Stone-Statue Carving!<\/p>\n Lalitpur is spread across an area of 15.43 sq.km and is made up of 29 municipalities and is currently home to over 226,728 people living in more than 54, 748 households. This Nepali city experiences a humid subtropical climate.<\/p>\n The Bagmati River separates the city of Lalitpur from Kathmandu on the northern and western sides.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Lalitpur was built on the thin layers of deposited clay and gravel in the midst of the erstwhile Nagdaha lake. The city\u2019s establishment dates back to the 3rd<\/sup> century BC and is credited to the Kirat dynasty.<\/p>\n Newari people identify Lalitpur with the name Yala derived from the name Yalamber, the then ruler of the Kirat dynasty.\u00a0Although there are many legends surrounding its name, the most famous one is that of Lord Rato Machhindranath.<\/p>\n It is believed that a group of three people representing the three kingdoms of Kathmandu Valley set out to bring Lord Rato Machhindranath from Kamaru Kamakhya, Assam to get rid of the drought that befell the valley.<\/p>\n One of them named Lalit, a farmer carried the God of rain, all the way back to the Valley. Due to his efforts, Rato Machhindranath got settled in Lalitpur. Hence, the name Lalitpur inspired by the great farmer Lalit.<\/p>\n Tourist Attractions:<\/strong> The city of Lalitpur with its old-world charm has an appeal of its own. Its charm adds to Nepal\u2019s heritage and helps Nepal establish itself as a country, which is deeply rooted in its cultural values.<\/p>\n Read Also:<\/strong><\/p>\n Looking gently at the Kathmandu Valley on the south side of the Bagmati River is the…<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Lalitpur](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/lalitpur-nepal.jpg\" "\\"Lalitpur")
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\nLalitpur is home to some of the most ancient historic sites that are of high significance to both Hindus and Buddhists. Listed below are some of them:<\/p>\n![\"Patan](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/patan-durbar-square-150x150.png\" "\\"Patan")
Patan Durbar Square<\/strong>:
\nThe establishment is situated at the center of Lalitpur and is one of the three durbar squares that Kathmandu Valley owns. It houses the ancient royal palace that was the home to Malla kings and some famous temples including Krishna Mandir.<\/div>\n![\"Krishna](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/krishna-mandir-150x150.png\" "\\"Krishna")
Krishna Mandir<\/strong>:
\nBuilt in Srikhara style, the temple is characterized by pillars with stone carvings that narrate the events of Mahabharata and Ramayana. This temple was built by King Siddhi Narasimha Malla. There are 21 golden pinnacles and the shrines of Lord Krishna, Radha and Rukmini.<\/div>\n![\"Bhimsen](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/bhimsen-temple-150x150.png\" "\\"Bhimsen")
Bhimsen Temple<\/strong>:
\nThis temple was built in 1680 by Srinivasa Malla and is devoted to Bhimsen, one of the heroes of the epic Mahabharata. Newari people worship him as a God of Business and Trade<\/a>. The three interconnected golden windows are its main attractions.<\/div>\n![\"Rudra](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/rudra-varna-mahavir-150x150.png\")
Rudra Varna Mahavir<\/strong>:
\nThe temple is an ancient Buddhist monastery and has witnessed major coronation ceremonies that are in practice till date. The temple is famous for its walls and altars adorned with statues and bronze pieces inside and on top of the temple.<\/div>\n![\"Golden](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/golden-temple-150x150.png\" "\\"Golden")
Golden Temple<\/strong>:
\nThis 12th<\/sup> century Buddhist structure is situated on the north of Durbar Square. The temple received its name due to the gilded metal plates that cover most of its front part. Statues of Shakyamuni, Green Tara and Bodhisattva Vajrasattva are worshiped and honored in this temple.<\/div>\n![\"Patan](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/patan-museum-150x150.png\" "\\"Patan")
Patan Museum: <\/strong>
\nOriginally the residence of the Malla kings, the Royal Palace houses one among the finest collections of religious arts in Asia. The museum is a national treasure and an invaluable contribution to the art and architecture of the Kathmandu Valley. The collection of statues and artifacts are displayed in brick and timber rooms.<\/div>\n![\"Sundari](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sundari-chowk-150x150.png\" "\\"Sundari")
Sundari Chowk: <\/strong>
\nLocated south of Mul Chowk is the Sundari Chowk \u00a0is comparatively a smaller structure but an architectural wonder constructed around a well-carved sunken water tank popularly known as Tusha Hiti. The tank was built in 1647 and is adorned with 72 carved-stone plaques depicting tantric deities. The traditional gateway that connects Sundari Chowk to Durbar Square features three magnificent statues of Hanuman, Ganesh and Vishnu\u2019s Narsingha Avatar.<\/div>\n![\"Mul](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/mul-chowk-150x150.png\" "\\"Mul")
Mul Chowk: <\/strong>
\nLocated south of Patan Museum is the gateway that leads to the largest and oldest chowk, Mul Chowk. The original buildings were destroyed in a fire in 1662. The center of the square houses a small Bidyapith temple.<\/div>\n![\"Central](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/central-zoo-150x150.png\" "\\"Central")
Central Zoo: <\/strong>
\nThe Central Zoo in Jawalakhel is spread across 6 hectares of land and houses more than 870 animals in 109 species.\u00a0 It was established by Rana Minister Juddha Shumsher in 1932. Since then, this zoo was privately owned and began welcoming public only in 1956. Currently, it is run by the Nepal National Trust of Nature Conservation (NTNC).<\/div>\n![\"Rato](\"https:\/\/www.nepalisansar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/rato-machhindranath-jatra-150x150.png\" "\\"Rato")
Rato Machhindranath Jatra: <\/strong>
\nOne of the most grandly-celebrated festivals in Lalitpur is the Rato Machhindranath Jatra. It is a glorious sight to see thousands of people walk in procession with the statue of Lord Machhindranath placed in a beautifully decorated chariot.As old as 1600 years, the month-long festival begins at the end of Baisakh. The people revere the God of rain for his virtue of ridding the city of drought.<\/div>\nLalitpur in News<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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