Attraction
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The old royal heart of Kathmandu, where the Hanuman Dhoka palace, the Kumari's residence and Malla-era temples surround a UNESCO-listed square.
Patan Durbar Square
The Malla royal square of Patan, lined with stone and pagoda temples such as the Krishna Mandir and home to one of Nepal's finest museums.
At a glance
- Type
- Royal palace square and temples
- Area
- Patan, Kathmandu, Nepal
Good to know
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Museum
- Newari food stalls
Why we recommend it
Patan Durbar Square sits in the centre of Lalitpur, the old city of Patan, in the Kathmandu Valley. It was the royal palace of the Malla kings, and most of what you see dates from the 1600s, under Siddhi Narsingh Malla and his son Srinivasa Malla. With its red-brick paving and Newar temples, it is one of the three Durbar Squares of the valley inscribed by UNESCO in 1979.
The best-known monument is the Krishna Mandir of 1667, a stone temple in shikhara style with 21 golden pinnacles and carved panels telling stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Bhimsen Temple of 1680 has three golden windows on its front, though the interior is closed to tourists. The Vishwanath Temple, built in 1627 and dedicated to Shiva, is guarded by stone elephants at its entrance and has a sculpture of a bull, Shiva's mount. The tall Taleju Temple, dedicated to the royal goddess, is not open to the public.
The palace side of the square is divided into courtyards. Mul Chowk is the largest, with a small temple at its centre. Sundari Chowk contains the sunken royal bath of Tusha Hiti and has been restored and opened to visitors; it has food stalls and an illuminated moon installation that draws people in the evening. Keshav Narayan Chowk houses the Patan Museum, whose bronzes and metalwork make it worth a separate visit. The square was badly hit in the 2015 earthquake, and the Hari Shankar Temple, which collapsed completely, has since been fully rebuilt.
Patan suits visitors who like to wander between courtyards and temples at their own pace. The biggest festival here is Krishnashtami, when thousands of devotees come to the Krishna Mandir. The square is also a good place to try Newari dishes such as yomari and chhoila from local eateries around the courtyards.
Allow time to explore the lanes and courtyards around the square, as the area is said to hold dozens of bahals, the Newar courtyards that often contain small shrines, and more than fifty major temples. Start with the Patan Museum if you want the background before looking at the temples.
Patan Durbar Square FAQs
Where is Patan Durbar Square?
In the centre of Lalitpur (Patan), in the Kathmandu Valley.
Can I eat nearby?
Yes. Sundari Chowk is a good place to try Newari food such as yomari and chhoila.
When was it built?
Most of the present buildings date from the 1600s, under the Malla kings Siddhi Narsingh Malla and Srinivasa Malla.
What is the Krishna Mandir?
A stone temple from 1667 with 21 golden pinnacles and carvings of scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Can tourists go inside the temples?
Some, but the interior of Bhimsen Temple is closed to tourists and the Taleju Temple is not open to the public.
Is there a museum?
Yes. The Patan Museum occupies Keshav Narayan Chowk on the north side of the palace.
Was it damaged in 2015?
Yes. The Hari Shankar Temple collapsed and has since been fully restored.
Which festival is the biggest here?
Krishnashtami, when thousands of devotees come to the Krishna Mandir.