Nepal.Patan

The city of Patan, recently renamed Lalitpur (City of Beauty), truly impressed us with its charm and coziness. Here, we felt more comfortable than in Bhaktapur, largely due to its well-developed tourist infrastructure. The entrance fee to the central part of the city was $5, which was three times cheaper than in Bhaktapur. Additionally, the ticket came with a map highlighting places worth visiting, and there were signs throughout the city directing us to various attractions. Moreover, Durbar Square in Patan appeared more attractive to us due to the greater number of pagodas and temples situated in a compact space, making it more grandiose and photogenic...

Arriving in Patan and seeing the reasonable ticket price, we didn't even try to seek a "free entry" like in Bhaktapur; instead, we immediately bought two tickets and entered the "historical paid area." Unlike Bhaktapur, where we didn't see anyone checking tickets, here they were vigilant. During our time on the square, we were asked four times for our ticket, which we kept in the pocket of our backpack, although according to the rules, we should have worn it around our neck to avoid unnecessary checks. But these were just organizational details - local procedures to which we quickly adapted and which became secondary as we immersed ourselves in "another world"...

And what an atmosphere reigned in the square, with one of the most famous Buddhist mantras - "Om Mani Padme Hum" - resonating somewhere, while a gentle breeze played with the tongues of bells, creating a unique accompaniment...

The most beautiful views of the square are from the rooftop cafes...

The smog hides the mountains in the background. Only on postcards could we see what lies behind this white veil...

Here's where people fetch water...

Also in Patan, there are very interesting Buddhist and Hindu temples scattered throughout the city and hidden between numerous alleys...

Each temple is filled with a large number of details, each carrying its own special meaning...

Here, similar to Bhaktapur, there is a five-tiered pagoda - the Kumbeshwar Temple, built in the 14th century in honor of the god Krishna...

The next temple from the 12th century, known as the "Golden Temple of Buddha," besides its decorative design, is also notable because leather items cannot be taken inside, such as leather shoes - they need to be surrendered or left at the entrance...