Nepal
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Day 2 Visit Boudhanath Stupa • Explore Patan Nov 19, 2018
Today we had a short drive to the city of Patan (4,429 feet), which sits across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu. Patan was developed on relatively thin layers of deposited clay and gravel in the central part of a dried ancient lake known as Nagdaha. The city was designed in the shape of the Buddhist Dharma-Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness). The four thurs, or mounds, located on the perimeter of Patan are known as the Ashoka Stupas, named for Emperor Ashoka, who visited Kathmandu with his daughter, Charumati, in 250 BC and erected the five stupas. These mounds are joined by more than 1,200 Buddhist and Hindu monuments of various shapes and sizes located throughout the city. Patan is known for its art and artisans: The region has produced the most artists and finest craftsmen in Nepali history, and their devotional artwork gives us stunning displays of Nepal’s fused cultures.
We explored the bustling market and Durbar Square—one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal that are preserved within a protected Monument Zone. As Durbar translates to “palace,” the term “Durbar Square” is used to describe any plaza opposite a royal palace. But while there are several Durbar Squares across Nepal, Patan’s Durbar Square is renowned for being one of the most picturesque, with its intricately carved architecture, delicate wind chimes, and ornate fountains.
Before leaving Patan we visited The Patan Museum. The museum displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural setting. The museum is located in the royal palace of the former Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. Its gilded door and window face Bauddhanath Durbar Square one of the most beautiful squares in the world. The museum’s exhibits cover a long span of Nepal’s cultural history and some rare objects are among its treasures. Their meaning and context within the living traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism are explained. Most of the objects are cast bronzes and gilt copper repousse work, traditional crafts for which Patan is famous.
► 01 Kathmandu 3 ► 05 Patan Museum ► 07 Patan 2
► 02 Patan ► 06 Durbar Square Bhaktapur ►08 Bauddhanath Durbar Sq