Overview
Patan is also known as Lalitpur or the “city of fine arts” and is the oldest city in the valley. This Buddhist City is said to have been founded by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC. Patan is the cradle of arts and architecture of the valley, a great center both of the Newari Buddhist religion and of traditional arts & crafts with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples. Well known among these are the Krishna Mandir and Hiranya Varna Mahavihar besides other temples.