Lalitpur

The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur, meaning the city of beauty. This city is planned on a circular format with Buddhist stupas at each of the four points of the compass. It is attached to Kathmandu on the south-east side. Patan is full of Buddhist monuments, and wonderful carvings. This city is said to have been built in 299 A.D. Some of the attractions of Patan include:

• Durbar Square: This palace square is a cluster of pagoda style temples and stone statues, build throughout the ancient periods. Arts and images lie at every step of the square and one cannot pass by without beholding their beauty and richness. This square also includes the renowned Krishna Mandir (Temple).
• Krishna Temple: This temple, built in the sixteenth century A.D. was built all with stone, even the pillars, except for the golden pinnacles.

Other interesting places to visit in Lalitpur are:

• Kumbheshwar Temple
• Jagat Narayan Temple
• Rudra Varna Mahavihar
• Ashokan Stupas
• Mahaboudha Stupa
• Machchendranath Temple
• Bangalamukhi Temple

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