Krishna Mandir | Lalitpur

The Krishna Mandir is a 17th-century Hindu temple located in Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur, Nepal. Built in 1637 by King Siddhinarasimha Malla, it is the most architecturally significant stone temple in the Kathmandu Valley.

Visual Characteristics

The temple is constructed entirely of carved grey stone, distinguishing it from the surrounding red-brick and timber pagoda structures. It follows the Shikhara architectural style, featuring three distinct tiers of open colonnaded porches. The structure is topped by 21 gilded pinnacles (Gajurs). Intricate stone friezes depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics line the beams above the pillars on the first and second floors.

Architectural Style & Materials

Style: Shikhara (North Indian style) with localized Newari adaptations.

Material: Carved grey sandstone and limestone.

Levels:

First Floor: Dedicated to Krishna (the main deity).

Second Floor: Dedicated to Shiva (represented by a Lingam).

Third Floor: Dedicated to Lokeshwor (Avalokiteshwor).

Symmetry: The temple is perfectly symmetrical, featuring octagonal stone pillars and arched entries.

Historical Origin

According to local legend, King Siddhinarasimha Malla saw Krishna and Radha standing in front of the royal palace in a dream. He ordered the temple built on that exact spot. The temple survived the 1934 earthquake and sustained minor damage during the 2015 earthquake, which has since been meticulously restored.

Access & Logistics

Address: M8FF+9XV, Lalitpur 44700, Nepal.

Location: Directly opposite the Patan Museum in the center of the Durbar Square.

Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily.

Entry: Non-Hindus are generally permitted to observe from the ground floor exterior but are restricted from entering the inner sanctum.

Proximity: Accessible via a 10-minute walk from the Patan Dhoka (gate).

Key Highlights & Activities

Stone Carvings: The first-floor frieze narrates the Mahabharata, while the second-floor frieze narrates the Ramayana.

Krishna Janmashtami: This is the primary center of celebration during Krishna's birthday (August/September), attracting thousands of pilgrims.

Garuda Statue: A stone statue of Garuda, the mount of Vishnu, sits on a high pillar facing the temple entrance.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Shade: The stone porches offer cooling and shade during peak sun.

Photography: Tripods are often restricted within the square; standard photography is permitted from the plaza.

Connectivity: 4G signal is stable; signal drops near the dense stone core.

Nearby Landmarks

Patan Museum: 0.05km East.

Vishwanath Temple: 0.02km South.

Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar): 0.3km North.

Taleju Bell: 0.03km East.