PATAN DURBAR SQUARE

Patan Durbar Square, located at the centre of Lalitpur, Nepal, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Initially a small town at the intersection of the trade route between India and Tibet. The rulers of the Malla Dynasty (1201-1769) - mainly the three generations beginning with King Siddhi Narsimha (1646) constructed many noteworthy religious structures over the years that transformed the square into a hub of trade and culture. These monuments exhibit a blend of diverse religious traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism through the fine details of the Newari artistry. 

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The spatial configuration of Patan Durbar Square is a play of interconnected courtyards and narrow gullies interspersed with multiple dharamshalas, patis, mandapas, and sattals that encourage community interactions - not just for locals but also for tourists and travellers. Patis and sattals are public rest-houses built on the edges of the roads to provide shelter to travellers and traders. While the dharamshalas and mandapas are resting places/ rest houses similar to that of patis, their purpose is more inclined towards religious practices and traditions. The layout of the square is such that the key temples face toward the Royal Palace, displaying the symbolic connection between religious and royal power, which were of equal significance during the era. There  is a clear distinction based on gender and class seen in the arrangement of these temples. The male Gods, considered to be symbols of morality and salvation, have their shrines right in front of the Royal Palace, which is accessible to all people. In contrast to this, the temples of the female deities form a part of the palace itself and were once exclusive to the royals, where the traditions for worship and ritual sacrifice are still carried on.  

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The Square is further characterised by its stonework and brickwork - precisely the red brick-paved floor and Newari craftsmanship with its intricate wood carvings. While the raised pati structures supported by wooden columns and thatched roofs still act as resting places, the mandapas that once were prominent venues for royal events are now repurposed as vegetable stalls. The dabalas that act as raised platforms further emphasise the original intent of the square as a space for both social and spiritual gatherings. 

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The way people occupy different spaces in the Durbar Square accentuates the idea of claimed and unclaimed spaces, where constant change and the absence of territorial boundaries create transactional capacities. This flexibility allows the square’s purpose to shift seamlessly throughout the day. The spatial dynamics of Patan Durbar Square are reflective of Kathmandu's broader urban fabric, influenced by its historical role as a hub on ancient trade routes. This fluid nature of spatial occupation seen here reflects Kathmandu's inclusive character, shaped by the convergence of Hinduism and Buddhism in a city that has historically proven to be a melting pot of different ideologies.​