Patan, the cradle of Nepalese Buddhist shop handicrafts
Those who are lucky enough to visit Nepal as a tourist can have a lot of experiences. The country is extremely rich in attractions, be it the Himalayas beyond all imagination, local culture, religion, architectural and artistic heritage or handicrafts. It is natural that visitors here want to take a little piece of Nepal with them and remember the time spent here for a long time. The best way to do this is to visit the local shops and markets, which it would be a big mistake not to do, as these places further shade the image of the country.
Many different shops and markets can be found in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but there are also many shops in other cities of the country with the products of the well-known local artisans. Almost all markets are open from morning until late at night. If you are looking for high-quality and high-quality Buddhist souvenirs, you will notice after a while that many products have the same place of origin, with the city of Patan listed as the source.
The city of Patan, more recently called Lalitpur, is also known as the city of arts and is known for its rich artistic heritage and craft traditions. The vast majority of its population of 160,000 is engaged in the production of traditional handicrafts, most of which are used for Buddhist religious practice. One of the most important goals of local artisans is to help practice the dharma. According to their creed, the most valuable reward they can achieve is the happiness of dharma practitioners and their progress during religious practice. For centuries, the city has been known as the artistic center of Nepal, home to the country's most famous artisans and artists.
It is said that the city was designed and built based on the Buddhist Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Truth). There are four large stupas at the four corners of the city. They are said to have been built by the Indian emperor Ashoka when he arrived in the Kathmandu Valley on his pilgrimage 2,250 years ago. The four stupas still standing today are truly surrounded by the spirit of ancient times. It is interesting to note that there are 1,200 Buddhist monuments of various shapes and sizes in and around this city alone.
The most important point of the city is the Patan Durbar square in the center, the importance of which is shown by the fact that it is part of the UNESCO world heritage. The history of the square is lost in the mists of time, but the locals believe that its formation is due to the fact that two important ancient trade routes crossed here. What can be known for sure is that a flourishing city has spread here since ancient times. More accurate data can be found since the 1600s, when the Malla kings made major changes. Most of the current buildings date from his time. Patan's importance is not only due to its extremely rich arts and crafts industry, but also to the fact that it is the oldest Buddhist city.
However, nowadays it is not only the Buddhist religion that considers it one of the most important historical centers, but it is also an important center for the Hindu religion. Its importance is shown by the fact that there are 55 important churches and 136 courtyards in and around the main square. Most of the smaller courtyards are common areas surrounded by houses, which are used as both secular and religious spaces. Most of these courtyards have stupas, three-dimensional mandalas, and Buddha shrines. The larger courtyards are home to the monasteries. These are completely religious spaces and unlike the smaller courtyards, they are not open to the public. The great earthquake of 2015 caused serious damage, but they are constantly working on the reconstruction and the square can now be visited again.
In addition to the square, it is worth exploring the local craft workshops and shops. The workshops of artists and craftsmen can be found all over the city, just like the shops selling products made here. Patan is proud to have world-renowned thangka painters working in the city, whose works are exported to many countries. Metalworking is also very important. A significant part of the singing bowls and other metal objects worked here go to the country's most important Buddhist monasteries. But beyond that, many woodcarvers and potters also work in the city. These artisans are proud to preserve ancient traditions and create objects just as beautiful, sophisticated and intricate as their medieval predecessors. But not only the craftsmen, the master builders are also famous far and wide. One of the best examples of this is that Araniko, the famous architect who built the famous white stupa in Beijing, was born here in the 12th century. This building has a key role in Chinese culture because it introduced pagoda-style architecture to the country, according to locals.
Anyone who visits the city next to Kathmandu will find that it is much more rural than the capital. Its streets are narrower and there is much less vehicle traffic. Thanks to this, those who come from Kathmandu feel as if they are taking part in time travel. The brick-covered roads are lined with craft shops. There is a stupa or temple on almost every street corner. The city is a perfect place for art and history lovers. But you don't need to be an artist for the tourist to appreciate the beauty of Nepalese art and history, because in this city every road seems like a painting and every temple like a living sculpture. Art is the reason for the city's prosperity and the motivation for the locals every morning to start a new day.
