Patan lies 5 kilometers south of Kathmandu. The city is known for its old monuments and beautiful Buddhist pagodas and Hindu temples. The Durbar Square and the Golden Temple are best explored in the battery-operated taxis of Patan, which have become a landmark of this ancient city. Visit the Mangal Bazaar square, the City Bus Park and Martyr's Gate. Also explore the stupas and the magnificent temples of Patan.
The Durbar Square has fine pagodas with elaborate stone carvings of deities and demi gods. The ancient palace complex houses elaborate bronze and stone baths and the temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Lokeshwar Pagoda was built in the 12th century by Bhaskar Verma. The temple houses a golden statue of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel with golden and red carvings. The Kumbeshwar Pagoda, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a unique Hindu temple built in pagoda style. The Jagat Narayan temple is built of tall Shikhara-or "peaks" of brick. The metallic Garuda statue on the Shikhara gleams in the sun. The Rudra Verma is an ancient Buddhist monastery, believed to have been built by the great Maurya king Ashoka. The monastery holds a magnificently carved statue of the Buddha. The Macchendranath temple is the starting point of the annual Macchendranath chariot festival, when the statue of the deity is taken round the city in a chariot procession.
The Tibetan colony at Patan has a large number of Tibetan refugees who have built many shrines in a typical Tibetan style. The small shops in the Tibetan colony sells handicrafts, prayer wheels and jewelry, and the skilful bargainer can always pick up a copper utensil or leather jacket at low prices.
