Patan - Minanath Mandir

The god Minanath, whose shrine is situated not far from the Raato Matsyendranath Temple, is also closely associated with Padmapani Lokeshvara and is often referred to as the Little (Saano) Matsyen- dranath. The Minanath cult actually goes back further than that of his nowadays more popular "big brother". The votive stupas by the fountain date from Licchavi times, testifying to the great age of the site.

Minanath is known to have been honored with a chariot procession as long ago as the 7th c. though that particular festival was later dedicated to a different god. Today Minanath's smaller chariot follows in the wake of Raato Matsyendranath's much larger one. Their two images, both red faced, are confusingly similar. The two-storied Minanath Mandir dates from the 15th c. Recent renovation has tended to camouflage the ancient structure, hiding the woodwork beneath layers of brightly colored paint. The buildings of the Tamgah Bahal have also disappeared, their place taken by new concrete housing.