Patan and Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour

Patan and Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour is a day tour package in which you are taken to two historical cities that are in the Kathmandu Valley. At these two cities, which began as centers of individual, you are shown the places, temples, arts and crafts, and the literature, that has evolved through their existence. They have had a greater repercussion on the history of the region.

Kathmandu being a vast valley had a climate suited for human existence and fertile land for agriculture, so came into existence a civilization. Over time, three kingdoms came into existence namely; Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur along with their tiny surrounding town and villages that depended on them. As time went on, and with the unification initiated by the Unifier of Nepal, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, they ceased to exist as an individual kingdom but as cities of influence, still retaining their legacy. In fact, they might seem an extension of Kathmandu Valley, but they are distinct districts with vivid cultures having influences retained from the past. Thus, bringing in their own forms of art, literature, culture, and architectural style.

Patan and Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour Procession

The Patan and Bhaktapur Sightseeing Day Tour begins with a drive from your place of lodging early in the day to the city of Patan which is in the Lalitpur district of the Kathmandu Valley, just across the Bagmati River. Not much history is there to the period before the Malla dynasty’s reign. But what little archaeological finds there suggest that the city though smaller existed as a crossroads for Indo-China trade. So it is a fact the ancient city came into its present form in the 1600s. The Malla Kings with the local Newar artisans brought into form a magnificent structure worthy of note.

Major Attraction of Patan Durbar Square

• Krishna Mandir (temple) which is a prominent fixture in Patan Durbar square, throngs with faithful, especially during the festival of Krishna Ashtami (the birthday of Lord Krishna, the cupid god). It was built in 1667 by King Siddhi Narasingha Mall after he had a vision of God and his consort in front of his palace. It features a three-tier building in the Shikara style where the top two floors are dedicated to crafts and artistic work of two epics, Mahabharata and Ramayan, on the ground floor of Lord Krishna.
• Bhimsen Temple in honor of a figure in the Mahabharata epic known for his bravery and courage. Built by Srinivasa in 1668. In the Newar Community, he is worshipped for his business skills.
• Vishwanath Temple was built, which is dedicated to God Shiva. The pillars and roof are designed similarly to temples found in India.
• Taleju Bhawani Temple was a temple built in 1640 for the family deities of the Mala Kings.
• Patan Durbar Square has a layout of three namely parts; Mul Chowk, Keshar Narayan Chowk, and Sundari Chowk. Keshar Narayan Chowk is now inside the Patan Museum and gets its name from Keshar Narayan Temple. Mul Chowk is the central part of the Durbar square. To the north is Sundari Chowk designed so with a sunken tank known as Tusha Hiti. And there are many more landmarks of wonder.

On the completion of touring Patan Durbar Square, we have lunch at one of the restaurants Face It.

After Lunch, we take a drive to Bhaktapur Durbar Square on the Southeast side of it for an hour. This Square mainly consists of four parts; Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery Square. Collectively, these are known as the Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Major attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

• Nge Nyapa Jhya Laaykoo (55-window palace) is a palace having 55 windows in it with the beautiful carving of intricate kinds. It was built by the Malla king, Bhupendra Malla but was not completed till after he died in 1774 AD.
• Vatsala Temple is a stone-built temple in honor of Vatsala Devi that is adorned with beautiful carvings, but it is best known for a large silver bell, known by the barking dog’s bell, as when the bell was rung, the dogs in the vicinity began to bark madly. It was hung by King Ranjit Malla to let folks know that it was time to cease work and get indoors.
• The Statue of Bhupatindra Malla is a large statue in the center of the square of King Bhupatindra Malla.
• Nyatapola Temple is a five-story temple built in the highest pagoda style in Nepal. Each layer is said to depict the five natural elements with magnificent style.
• Bhairava Nath Temple is a temple built for Bhairavanath, the fiercest form of Lord Shiva’s avatar.
• Lun Dhwākhā (Golden Gate) is a gate having the figure of Goddess Kali at the entrance of the square of the 55-window palace. It has such decorative cravings and is said to be the best in the world.
• Then there are the Lion Gate and Mini Pushupati exhibiting magnificent deft of artisans and sculptors.

Upon completion of the Patan and Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour, we returned to Kathmandu by private vehicle and dropped off at our place of lodging.