Patan, also known as Lalitpur or Manigal is one of the major cities of Nepal. It is located in the Kathmandu Valley, separated from Kathmandu city on its north by the Bagmati River.It is believed to have been founded in the 3rd century BC by rulers of the Kirat dynasty. Known for its arts, crafts, festivals, it is also referred to as the 'City of Beauty'.
Patan has long Buddhist history and is said to be built in the shape of the Buddhist Dharma Chakra. The four corners of the city are marked by Buddhist stupas, usually referred to as Ashokan Stupas. Patan’s central Durbar square is absolutely packed with temples and is one of the 7 complexes that make Kathmandu Valley a World Heritage Site. It has numerous temples in the square; in fact, it is said to have more temples for the area than even the Durbar Squares in Kathmandu or Bhaktapur.
