Historical Monuments & WHS

Cultural Heritage

Lalitpur, aback celebrated times accept been accepted for its affluent amusing and cultural ancestry and tradition. The burghal still displays this altered attitude and ability in its day to day activity and activities. It won't be amiss to accede Lalitpur as a burghal of active ability rather than a heritage. Assorted religious and indigenous communities acceptance either Hinduism or Buddhism alive ancillary by ancillary in abutting harmony. 

The burghal boasts with cardinal of heritages both in accessories and affluence forms. Afar from the varieties of celebrated Hindu and Buddhist monuments like Bahas, Bahis, Pagoda and Bean Temples, Chaityas, Pati, Agamchhens, bean spouts etc., adorned with admirable art and architecture, the barrio of accustomed bodies forth the city's streets and alleys of the burghal anatomy a allotment of its actual heritage. The assorted religious and cultural activities that accept survived the analysis of time and accept connected to be basal allotment of people's day to day activity too accord to its abstract heritage. 

Various Jatras or festivals, which would accommodate assorted cultural and religious processions, dance, music and added assorted activities are alike today agilely empiric and anatomy an capital allotment of day –to-day activity of its citizens. 

Patan Durbar Aboveboard has been account in UNESCO apple ancestry sites, which is one of the seven such sites in Kathmandu Valley.

Tangible Heritage

1. Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Aboveboard amid at the burghal centre is the focal point of all the heritages in Lalitpur. This alcazar circuitous from breadth the age-old rulers of this burghal disqualified consists of 19 monuments in and about it. The Durbar Aboveboard was appointed as Apple ancestry armpit in 1979. It is a pride and celebrity of not alone Patan but additionally the nation as a whole. It is baby but has been acknowledged in absorption its aboriginal appearance than added palaces of the Kathmandu valley. It is best absorbing architectural armpit with circuitous of temples.

2. Temples

Different types of temple architectonics accept developed in Nepal aback few hundred years. It is a alloyed blazon of architectonics represented by multi roofed temples, Shikharas appearance temples, monasteries, Patis, Chaityas, palaces, residential houses. All these represent a unified and absolute appearance which has becoming for them a characteristic analogue of Nepalese architecture. As in added countries the development of a audible Nepali appearance of architectonics is reflected in Nepal’s religious buildings. Among abounding styles of architecture, the multi roofed temples or alike the houses are accepted as acceptable architectonics which is called as the Nepalese or the Newari architectonics also. 

The best absorbing characteristics of the architectural circuitous in Nepal are represented by temples in affiliation with palaces and residential houses. The circuitous of temples is acutely arresting in the durbar aboveboard of Patan. The durbar aboveboard breadth possesses tiered temples as able-bodied as cithara temples. The durbar aboveboard of Patan with affluent cultural and architectural ancestry occupies a axial position in the burghal scope. In 1928 Perceval London actual abundant accepted this aboveboard “as an ensemble, the durbar aboveboard in Patan apparently charcoal the best arresting accumulating of barrio that has been set up in so baby abode by the allegiance and pride of an oriental man.” 

Temples are complete not alone in durbar aboveboard circuitous but in added genitalia of the burghal bulk also. Patan is a active archetype of religious harmony. So one can acquisition Hindu temple and Buddhist Chaityas in a aforementioned circuitous continuing together. In this address alone the multi roofed temples and the bean temple (Shikhara) accept been discussed. 

2.1 Multi Roofed Temples

The multi roofed temples frequently interpreted a pagodas are altered from added religious buildings. These temples are articular with roofs of abbreviating dimension, ample one aloft addition basic a acceptable style. It is actual difficult to say about the Origin of this temple style. Barrio with tiered roof were already accepted in both India and China afore the time of Christ, and it is affected that the access of Indian architectonics is there in acceptable Nepalese architecture. Although one of the Chinese travelers has declared in 7th aeon that Nepali adjustment of tiering the roof was new to them. 

It is believed that these temples existed in Nepal from the alpha of the Christian era. These types of temples are congenital of brick, mud and timber. Although the residential architecture and temples are congenital of aforementioned abstracts they alter in conceptual aspects. These types of architecture are about aboveboard in plan, sometimes ellipsoidal and actual rarely octagonal in plan. They are about aloft on a aerial plinth. The roofs cardinal of these temples varies from one to five. Majority of temples are one to three roofed. Four and bristles roofed are actual rare. For archetype Bhagbati temple of Nala and Harisiddhi temple of Lalitpur are the alone two temples with four tiers. Similarly there are alone two bristles tiered temple, Nyatapole of Bhaktapur and Kumbheshwor of Lalitpur. 

Altogether 87 pagoda temples accept been articular in this report; these temples accept been amid in the assorted 22 wards of Lalitpur (Chart 3.1). The buying description of the temples shows that best of the temples are taken affliction of by the Guthi, and by the bodies of assertive degree like Amatyas, Rajopadhyas, and Patravansas etc. 

Kumbheshwor temple is one of the bristles tiered temples and is anachronous the oldest one from 1391 aback it was completed by JayastHiti Malla with two tiers. Srinivas Malla after added three tiers to it authoritative it bristles tiered. The temple is acclaimed for its accomplished accommodation and affected woodcarvings. This temple is classified as of all-embracing accent that is in “A” category.

The breadth of the monuments shows that best of the pagoda temples are amid in the bulk burghal breadth and the cairn zone. The majority of the tiered temples lie in breadth no 22 (Kumbheshwor area), 18 and 11 (Durbar Aboveboard Area) and 19. The detail advice apropos the monuments, its location, buying and class is accustomed in Annex I.

The monuments in Kathmandu Basin accept been categorized according to the Age-old Cairn Act 2013, 5th Amendment as accustomed in the Table 3.1.

Descriptions of Some important temples

A. Kumveshwore Temple

The Kumveshwore Temple is said to date from 1391 aback it was completed by JayastHiti Malla, authoritative it the oldest actual temple in Patan (Figure 3.5).The temple is acclaimed for its accomplished accommodation and affected woodcarvings. There are abundant statues and sculptures about the courtyard, from the Lichhavis to the Mallas, including a decidedly accomplished Ganesh figure. The temple is, however, committed to Lord Shiva, as adumbrated by the ample Nandi (bull), adverse the temple central the capital entrance.

The temple belvedere has two ponds whose baptize is said to appear beeline from the angelic basin at Gosainkunda, a continued expedition arctic of the valley. An anniversary ritual ablution in the Kumveshwore Temple’s catchbasin is claimed to be as admirable as authoritative the backbreaking airing to Gosainkunda.

Thousands of pilgrims appointment the temple during the Janai Purnima anniversary in July and August anniversary year to adoration the argent and gold lingam which is set up in the catchbasin while associates of the Brahmin and Chhetri castes alter the angelic cilia they abrasion angled over their larboard shoulder. Jhankris assault drums and cutting bright headdresses and skirts ball about the temple to complete the affecting scene.

B. Rato Machhindranath Temple

The Rato (Red) Machhindranath temple, the god of rain and affluence comes in a array of incarnations (Figure 3.6). To Buddhists he is the Tantric copy of Avalokiteshvara while to Hindus he is addition adaptation of Shiva. The temple’s four elaborately carved doorways are anniversary attentive by bobcat abstracts and at arena akin on the four corners of the temple plinth are reliefs of a analytical yeti-like creature. A assorted accumulating of animals (including peacocks, horses, bulls, lions, elephants, and fish) top the pillars adverse the arctic ancillary of the months of the year. The metal roof is declared by struts, anniversary assuming Avalokiteshvara continuing aloft abstracts actuality bent in hell. Prayer auto are set into the abject of the temple. 

The Machhindranath angel is aloof a abominably carved allotment of red-painted wood, but anniversary year during the Rato Machhindranath celebrations it is paraded about the boondocks on a temple chariot. The circuitous anniversary moves the angel from abode to abode over a aeon of several weeks in the ages of Baishakh (April/May), assuredly catastrophe at Jawalakhel breadth the agent is disassembled.

Occurring on a 12 year aeon the advance continues out of Patan to the apple of Bungamati, 5 km to the south. Dragging the abundant Agent forth this aflutter and about acclivous clue is no accessible feat. 

2.2 Bean Temples

The Shikhara shrines are abundant abate in cardinal than the angled roof and multi roofed temples. Alike so best of them date from medieval period. Though the multi roofed appearance were added arresting and accustomed in the Kathmandu basin it co existed with Shikhara style. The Shikhara is interpreted as abundance aiguille towered temple about fabricated of bean and some times brick believed to accept been developed in Gupta India about 6th aeon A.D. 

The elementary anatomy of the temple is a baby aboveboard apartment baffled by a cone-shaped belfry calm emblematic caves and mountains. The temple is usually animated on a steeped plinth followed by a cardinal of molded courses. In best cases, baby Deval is absorbed on all four abandon of the capital tower. Sometimes two or three baby Devals are congenital in all abandon of the belfry at the arena level. The capital Shikhara tapers on the top and terminates in a bedfast ripped disc accepted as Amalaka. The Gajur is baffled on the top of the Amalaka. 

The best archetype of the Shikhara altar fabricated of bean are Cyasing Deval and Krishna Mandir of Patan Durbar Square. Krishna Mandir was congenital in N.S. 757 (1636 A.D.) by King Siddhinarasimha Malla. This is one of the finest bean structures in accomplished Nepal. The temple is complete over three stepped platforms. It has columned arcade circumbulating the arena attic and on the aboriginal attic a row of mini Shikharas. The capital altar is amid on the aboriginal floor. This temple is classified as of all-embracing accent that is in “A” category.

Thirty-four bean temples in the burghal of Lalitpur accept been identified. The buying of the temples is taken by Shresthas, Bajracharyas, Shakyas and Guthi as well. These temples accept been categorized into three groups, A, B and C, according to the Age-old Cairn Act of 2013 5th Amendment. Best of the bean temples abatement in bounded class that is class “C”. The detail advice apropos the bean temples its location, buying and class are accustomed in Annex I.

2.3 Pati and Gate

There are cardinal of Patis (or Sattals or Chappa), which are the accessible blow abode of the aboriginal canicule in the burghal of Lalitpur. In aboriginal days, afar from accouterment comatose abode for the tradesmen and travelers, they acclimated to be the abode for socio-cultural gatherings and functions and were important basic of the burghal settlement. 

In aboriginal days, the cities and settlements of Kathmandu Basin had a audible burghal abuttals above which the amplification rarely occurred. There were able-bodied laid anchorage aural them and the above alley that advance to places alfresco the burghal and surrounding acreage would accept aesthetic gates complete to mark the point of access and avenue to and from the city. In the burghal of Lalitpur there acclimated to be 21 aesthetic gates in the burghal (Annex I). Patan Dhoka that still exists today is one of them.

2.4 Bean Baptize Conduit

From the age-old times man has consistently approved to accept baptize nearby. In the aforementioned context, the bodies of Kathmandu basin accept managed to accompany baptize through bean baptize spout. Baptize cascade are awful adorning elements apery the old ability and acculturation accomplishing the baptize demands till date.

Hitis exhibits the august accomplished architectural development in burghal architecture of basin cities. Hiti is a bequest of accomplished alive till date in abounding situations assuming abundant engineering accomplishment of our ancestors. Tusa Hiti in Mangal Bazaar is the accomplished aeon of bean baptize spout. Manga Hiti is the oldest one dating 570 A.D (492 Baisakh)

The baptize spouts were advised with their own source, about in the hinterland of the Patan city. There existed all-encompassing arrangement of canals (Rajkulo) for busline to the city. Large-scale burghal reservoirs (Pokhari) additionally existed which are believed to comedy an important role in charging arena baptize table and appropriately formed an important aspect of the absolute baptize arrangement consisting of Hitis and wells. Naricha, Nayekhyo, KhwayeBaha has been accepted as above aquifers in Laitpur. 

In Lalitpur there are fifty six bean baptize spouts (source: LSMC). Of these, 28 of are active abundantly and there is acceptable bulk of baptize breeze in the taps. There is actual little breeze of baptize in 12 but it increases during the backing season. There is no breeze of baptize in 4 baptize spouts and appropriately requires able aliment including charwoman of the source. The blow are said to accept been abounding up and covered according to the bounded people. However, some of these could additionally be adequate for cultural canning if not for anatomic use. The breadth and action and administration of the spouts in anniversary breadth are accustomed in Annex I. 

2.5 Pond (Pokhari) and Well

There are altogether 25 Ponds (Pokharis). Above ones are Prayag, Jawaklakhel and PimBahal Pokhari. in the accomplished there acclimated to be abounding added ponds aural the celebrated burghal of Lalitpur, which were a basic aspect of its acceptable baptize accumulation system. However, abounding of them accept vanished due to dehydration up, encroachment, and abridgement of able aliment and attention. 

As a basic aspect of acceptable baptize accumulation system, the burghal of Lalitpur has 226 wells, abounding of which are in acceptable condition. However, these wells do not accommodate those congenital in contempo times by the individuals. The acceptable wells were about amid at courtyards and accessible spaces and acclimated by the accomplished community, alone few were clandestine owned. 

2.6 Ashoka Stupa

According to fable bristles Stupas were congenital by Ashoka, the Mauryan King of India, while he was visiting Patan on a pilgrimage. At that time Nepal was disqualified by the Kirati Kings. These Stupas were about congenital aloft a bank of apple covered with grass. The four Ashokan Stupas in Lalitpur are at Lagankhel in the south, Imadol in the east, IBahi in the arctic and Pulchowk in the west.

2.7 Bahal and Bahi

The Newar Buddhist Monastery, with its associated band objects, is the focus of Buddhism in Patan. The abbey has developed out of an age-old Buddhist design, consisting of a two storey architecture fabricated up of accessible halls about a aboveboard courtyard. This courtyard is artlessly set aback from the road, allegory from the Hindu temples set up on