Cultural HeritageLalitpur, since historic times have been known for its rich social and cultural heritage and tradition. The city still displays this unique tradition and culture in its day to day life and activities. It won't be wrong to consider Lalitpur as a city of living culture rather than a heritage. Various religious and ethnic communities belonging either Hinduism or Buddhism live side by side in close harmony.The city boasts with number of heritages both in tangibles and intangibles forms. Apart from the varieties of historic Hindu and Buddhist monuments like Bahas, Bahis, Pagoda and Stone Temples, Chaityas, Pati, Agamchhens, stone spouts etc., adorned with beautiful art and architecture, the buildings of ordinary people along the city's streets and alleys of the city form a part of its tangible heritage. The various religious and cultural activities that have survived the test of time and have continued to be indispensable part of people's day to day life too contribute to its intangible heritage.Various Jatras or festivals, which would include various cultural and religious processions, dance, music and other various activities are even today enthusiastically observed and form an essential part of day to-day life of its citizens.Patan Durbar Square has been list in UNESCO world heritage sites, which is one of the seven such sites in Kathmandu Valley.Tangible Heritage1. Durbar SquarePatan Durbar Square located at the city centre is the focal point of all the heritages in Lalitpur. This palace complex from where the ancient rulers of this city ruled consists of 19 monuments in and around it. The Durbar Square was designated as World heritage site in 1979. It is a pride and glory of not only Patan but also the nation as a whole. It is small but has been successful in preserving its original character than other palaces of the Kathmandu valley. It is most impressive architectural site with complex of temples.2. TemplesDifferent types of temple architecture have developed in Nepal since few hundred years. It is a mixed type of architecture represented by multi roofed temples, Shikharas style temples, monasteries, Patis, Chaityas, palaces, residential houses. All these represent a unified and comprehensive character which has earned for them a distinctive terminology of Nepalese architecture. As in other countries the development of a distinct Nepali style of architecture is reflected in Nepals religious buildings. Among many styles of architecture, the multi roofed temples or even the houses are known as traditional architecture which is named as the Nepalese or the Newari architecture also.The most impressive characteristics of the architectural complex in Nepal are represented by temples in association with palaces and residential houses. The complex of temples is clearly visible in the durbar square of Patan. The durbar square area possesses tiered temples as well as cithara temples. The durbar square of Patan with rich cultural and architectural heritage occupies a central position in the city scope. In 1928 Perceval London very much appreciated this square as an ensemble, the durbar square in Patan probably remains the most picturesque collection of buildings that has been set up in so small place by the piety and pride of an oriental man.Temples are constructed not only in durbar square complex but in other parts of the city core also. Patan is a living example of religious harmony. So one can find Hindu temple and Buddhist Chaityas in a same complex standing together. In this report only the multi roofed temples and the stone temple (Shikhara) have been discussed.2.1 Multi Roofed TemplesThe multi roofed temples commonly interpreted a pagodas are different from other religious buildings. These temples are identified with roofs of decreasing dimension, stacked one above another constituting a traditional style. It is very difficult to say about the Origin of this temple style. Buildings with tiered roof were already known in both India and China before the time of Christ, and it is assumed that the influence of Indian architecture is there in traditional Nepalese architecture. Although one of the Chinese travelers has described in 7th century that Nepali method of tiering the roof was new to them.It is believed that these temples existed in Nepal from the beginning of the Christian era. These types of temples are built of brick, mud and timber. Although the residential building and temples are built of same materials they differ in conceptual aspects. These types of building are generally square in plan, sometimes rectangular and very rarely octagonal in plan. They are generally raised on a high plinth. The roofs number of these temples varies from one to five. Majority of temples are one to three roofed. Four and five roofed are very rare. For example Bhagbati temple of Nala and Harisiddhi temple of Lalitpur are the only two temples with four tiers. Similarly there are only two five tiered temple, Nyatapole of Bhaktapur and Kumbheshwor of Lalitpur.Altogether 87 pagoda temples have been identified in this report; these temples have been located in the various 22 wards of Lalitpur (Chart 3.1). The ownership description of the temples shows that most of the temples are taken care of by the Guthi, and by the people of certain caste like Amatyas, Rajopadhyas, and Patravansas etc.Kumbheshwor temple is one of the five tiered temples and is dated the oldest one from 1391 when it was completed by JayastHiti Malla with two tiers. Srinivas Malla later added three tiers to it making it five tiered. The temple is noted for its fine proportions and elegant woodcarvings. This temple is classified as of international importance that is in A category.The location of the monuments shows that most of the pagoda temples are located in the core city area and the monument zone. The majority of the tiered temples lie in ward no 22 (Kumbheshwor area), 18 and 11 (Durbar Square Area) and 19. The detail information regarding the monuments, its location, ownership and category is given in Annex I.The monuments in Kathmandu Valley have been categorized according to the Ancient Monument Act 2013, 5th Amendment as given in the Table 3.1.Descriptions of Some important templesA. Kumveshwore TempleThe Kumveshwore Temple is said to date from 1391 when it was completed by JayastHiti Malla, making it the oldest extant temple in Patan (Figure 3.5).The temple is noted for its fine proportions and elegant woodcarvings. There are numerous statues and sculptures around the courtyard, from the Lichhavis to the Mallas, including a particularly fine Ganesh figure. The temple is, however, dedicated to Lord Shiva, as indicated by the large Nandi (bull), facing the temple inside the main entrance.The temple platform has two ponds whose water is said to come straight from the holy lake at Gosainkunda, a long trek north of the valley. An annual ritual bath in the Kumveshwore Temples tank is claimed to be as meritorious as making the arduous walk to Gosainkunda.Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple during the Janai Purnima festival in July and August each year to worship the silver and gold lingam which is set up in the tank while members of the Brahmin and Chhetri castes replace the sacred thread they wear looped over their left shoulder. Jhankris beating drums and wearing colorful headdresses and skirts dance around the temple to complete the dramatic scene.B. Rato Machhindranath TempleThe Rato (Red) Machhindranath temple, the god of rain and plenty comes in a variety of incarnations (Figure 3.6). To Buddhists he is the Tantric edition of Avalokiteshvara while to Hindus he is another version of Shiva. The temples four elaborately carved doorways are each guarded by lion figures and at ground level on the four corners of the temple plinth are reliefs of a curious yeti-like creature. A diverse collection of animals (including peacocks, horses, bulls, lions, elephants, and fish) top the pillars facing the northern side of the months of the year. The metal roof is supposed by struts, each showing Avalokiteshvara standing above figures being tortured in hell. Prayer wheels are set into the base of the temple.The Machhindranath image is just a crudely carved piece of red-painted wood, but each year during the Rato Machhindranath celebrations it is paraded around the town on a temple chariot. The complex celebration moves the image from place to place over a period of several weeks in the month of Baishakh (April/May), finally ending at Jawalakhel where the chariot is disassembled.Occurring on a 12 year cycle the procession continues out of Patan to the village of Bungamati, 5 km to the south. Dragging the heavy Chariot along this bumpy and often uphill track is no easy feat.