Lalitpur ललितपुर | |
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 Bird's eye view of the Patan Durbar Square. It has been listed byUNESCO as aWorld Heritage Site. .jpg) Ashok Stupa Chaitya  Lalitpur Skyline withJugal Himal in background | |
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| Nickname: City of Fine Arts[1] | |
| Motto(s): | |
 Interactive map of Lalitpur | |
  Lalitpur Location within Nepal Show map of Nepal Lalitpur Location within Asia Show map of Asia.svg) Lalitpur Location within Earth Show map of Earth | |
| Coordinates:27°40′35″N85°19′00″E / 27.67639°N 85.31667°E /27.67639; 85.31667 | |
| Country |  Nepal |
| Province | Bagmati |
| District | Lalitpur |
| Incorporated | 1918 |
| No. ofWards | 29 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| • Body | Lalitpur Metropolitan City Council |
| • Mayor | Chiri Babu Maharjan (NC) |
| • Deputy mayor | Manjali Shakya Bajracharya (CPN-UML) |
| • Executive officer[2] | Rekha Das Shrestha |
| Area | |
• Total | 37.4 km2 (14.4 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,350 m (4,430 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 299,283[3] |
| • Rank | 4th |
| • Density | 8,002/km2 (20,730/sq mi) |
| • Households | 77,159 (4th most) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Newari,Nepali and (Other Language) |
| Ethnicities | |
| • Ethnicities | Newar,Bahun,Chhetri,Tamang |
| Time zone | UTC+5:45 (NST) |
| Postal Code | 44700 |
| Area code | 01 |
| Website | www |
Lalitpur (Nepali:ललितपुर)[a] is ametropolitan city and fourth most populous city ofNepal with 299,843 inhabitants living in 77,159 households per the2021 census.[4][5] It is located in the south-central part ofKathmandu Valley, a large valley in the highplateaus in central Nepal, at an altitude of 1,350 metres (4,430 feet).
Itscultural heritage includes a tradition of arts and crafts. It has a multi-ethnic population with aHindu andBuddhist majority. Religious and cultural festivities form a major part of the lives of people residing in Kathmandu. Tourism is an important part of the city's economy and it stages festivals and feasts, Lalitpur is home toPatan Durbar Square, which has been listed byUNESCO as aWorld Heritage Site.[6]
Lalitpur Metropolitan City, historically known as Patan, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities inNepal and a cultural epicenter of theKathmandu Valley. Renowned for its exquisite art, architecture, and religious harmony, Lalitpur has evolved from an ancient settlement into a modern metropolis while preserving its deep-rooted heritage.[7]
The city is believed to have been founded byKing Varadeva in 290 CE, though local legends trace its origins even earlier. Lalitpur was historically known as Yala in theNewar language and Patan inSanskrit. The Mauryan EmperorAshoka is said to have visited the region around 249 BC[8][9], erecting four stupas at the cardinal points of the city—still standing today as markers of its ancient Buddhist heritage. During theLicchavi period (c. 400–750 CE), Patan emerged as a center of trade and religion, with early inscriptions and stone sculptures indicating a thriving urban culture.[10]
Lalitpur flourished under theMalla kings (12th–18th century), who transformed the city into a masterpiece ofNewar architecture and urban planning. ThePatan Durbar Square, now aUNESCO World Heritage Site, was developed during this era, featuring:Krishna Mandir (built in 1637 by KingSiddhi Narsingh Malla),Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple),Sundari Chowk,Mul Chowk, and other royal courtyards. The city became a hub formetalwork,wood carving, andstone sculpture, with artisans exporting their work acrossAsia. Lalitpur maintained a unique religious syncretism, whereHindu andBuddhist traditions coexisted and often merged in festivals, rituals, and iconography.
In 1768, Lalitpur was annexed byPrithvi Narayan Shah during theunification of Nepal. UnlikeKathmandu andBhaktapur, the conquest of Patan was reportedly peaceful, though followed by economic decline and loss of autonomy. The Shah rulers centralized power inKathmandu, and Lalitpur's royal court was dissolved.
During the Rana regime (1846–1951), Lalitpur saw limited modernization, with infrastructure and education concentrated in elite circles. The city retained its artisanal identity, with families continuing traditional crafts through generations.
After the 1990 People's Movement, Lalitpur gained local governance rights and began urban expansion. In 2017, Lalitpur was officially declared a Metropolitan City, incorporating surrounding wards and expanding its administrative reach. The city now comprises 29 wards, with a population exceeding 300,000, and serves as a key node in Nepal's urban development.
Lalitpur is on the elevated tract of land inKathmandu Valley on the south side of theBagmati River, which separates it from the city of Kathmandu on the northern and western side. The Karmanasa Khola acts as the boundary on the eastern side. It was developed on relatively thin layers of deposited clay and gravel in the central part of a dried ancient lake known as theNagdaha. The city has an area of 15.43 square kilometres and is divided into 29municipal wards.[11]
Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. TheKöppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).[12]
Patan Durbar Square has been listed byUNESCO as one of seven Monument Zones that make up theWorld Heritage Site of theKathmandu Valley. The square was heavily damaged on25 April 2015 by an earthquake.[13]
As of the 2011 census,Nepali is the most common mother tongue in Lalitpur with 44.9% of the population speaking it as their mother tongue.Newar is spoken by 35.2% while the other languages spoken in the city includeTamang (6.2%),Maithili (3.4%),Magar (1.7%),Bhojpuri (1.4%) andRai (1.3%) as their first language. English is also spoken by many, especially as a non-primary language.[14][15]
The largest group is the nativeNewars, whose various sub-groups combine to make up 39.6% of the population. The second largest ethnic group isChhetri, who account for 15.9% of the population whileBahuns also known as Hill-Brahmin or Khas Brahmin, represent 11.9% of the population. Other groups in Kathmandu include the Janajatis, comprising theTamang (8.3%),Magar (3.5%),Rai (3.5%) andGurung (1.5%). NepaleseMuslims represent 0.7% of the population.[16] More recently, otherMadeshi groups fromTerai have come to represent a substantial proportion of the city's population.[17]
In terms of religion, 82.3% wereHindu, 17.2%Buddhist, 0.7%Christian, 1.00%Kirati, 0.8%Muslim, 0.1%Prakriti and 0.2% others.[18]
In terms of literacy, 86.0% could read and write, 1.6% could only read and 12.4% could neither read nor write.[19]
A substantial portion of thepopulation is engaged in trades, notably intraditional handicrafts and small-scalecottage industries, and some residents work inagriculture. Lalitpur has produced the highest number of renowned artists and finest craftsmen ever recorded in the history of Nepali art. Lalitpur has maintained a culture of craftwork even in the face of rapid urbanization and many social and political upheavals.
The city is less urbanized than Kathmandu, north of the Bagmati river, but is home to many workshops, stores, restaurants, hotels, schools, embassies and other important sectors of the Kathmandu Valley economy.Buddha Air has its headquarters inJawalakhel[20] near Patan.[21]
Lalitpur is home toPulchowk Engineering Campus, one of the oldest and most reputed colleges affiliated with theInstitute of Engineering,Tribhuvan University.Patan Academy of Health Sciences is the only medical university in the city with Patan Hospital as its primary teaching hospital, and there is another private medical school - KIST Medical College in Lalitpur.[22] Other institutions of higher learning in Patan includePatan Multiple Campus, Virinchi College[23] and Kathmandu University School of Management (KU SOM).
Lalitpur is home to few best schools and colleges of Nepal are located in Lalitpur. Every year thousands of students from all over Nepal arrive at Kathmandu to get admission in the various schools and colleges. Among all, the largest and reputed schools areIdeal Model School, Ullens School, Rato Bangla School, Premier International IB World School, British School,St. Xavier's School, Nepal Don Bosco School,Little Angels' School andGyanodaya Bal Batika School.
Other schools include the Hindu Vidya Peeth Nepal, St. Mary's, Graded English Medium School, DAV Sushil Kedia, Adarsha Kanya Niketan, Tri-padma Vidyashram, Adarsha Saral Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Sudesha High School, and Nava Suryodaya English Secondary School.
Nepal National Library which was established in 1957 AD was moved to Lalitpur from Singha Durbar in 2061 BS. It is at Harihar Bhawan.[24]Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya, located near Patan Dhoka, is another library, which awards theMadan Puraskar andJagadamba Shree Puraskar literary prizes is in the city. There are also numbers of libraries around Lalitpur Metropolitan city such as Deepawali Pustakalaya in Satdobato, Buddhibikash Library in Lagankhel, andSanu Ko Pustakalaya in Manbhawan.
Notable landmarks include:[25]
All international and domestic flights forKathmandu Valley are handled byTribhuvan International Airport which lies about 7 km from Patan City Centre.
Private companies operate a number of routes connecting Patan with other places in the valley. Buses, micro-buses and electric tempos are the most common forms of public transport seen in the city. Lalitpur Yatayat buses connects the touristicThamel area of Kathmandu with buses stopping at Patan Dhoka, a five-minute walk to Patan Durbar Square. Lagankhel Bus Park is the central transport hub.Sajha Yatayat is another major public vehicle service that connects Lalitpur with its neighboring districts. It also operateselectric buses.
Patan Hospital is the teaching hospital for thePatan Academy of Health Sciences.
| S.N | Radio Name | MHz | Operated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radio Sagarmatha | 102.4 | Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalist |
| 2 | Radio Kantipur FM | 96.1 | Kantipur FM Pvt. Ltd. |
| 3 | BBC Radio | 103.0 | BBC World Service |
| 4 | Ujyaalo FM | 90.0 | Communication Corner Pvt. Ltd. |
| 5 | Times FM | 90.6 | Valley FM Pvt. Ltd. |
| Club | Sport | Founded | League |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Star Club | Football | 1974 | Martyr's Memorial A-Division League |
| Friends Club | 1972 | ||
| Jawalakhel Youth Club | |||
| Chyasal Youth Club | 1981 | ||
| Lalitpur City | 2021 | Nepal Super League | |
| Lalitpur Patriots | Cricket | 2017 | Everest Premier League |
The native language of Patan isNepal Bhasa of Newars. Though due to the migration of other people from other places to Patan, other languages likeNepali,Tamang, etc. are also spoken.
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249 BCE, Pilgrimage of Asoka to Buddhist holy places; erection of pillars at Lumbini Garden and near a stupa of Konakamana; his visit to Nepal, and foundation of Lalita Patan his daughter Charumati becomes a nun.
.jpg)
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)Asoka is also credited with having founded two important cities, Srinagar in Kashmir and Lalita Patan in Nepal.
Patan travel guide from WikivoyagePlaces adjacent to Lalitpur, Nepal | |
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