Patan - Mul Chowk

Mul Chowk was built by Srinivasa Malla in 1666 to house the Taleju Shrine. The shrine itself, topped by the traditional triple pagoda roofs, occupies the south side of the court. A torana crowns the entrance. The goddesses Ganja and Jamuna, aspects of Shri and Lakshmi, appear in embossed-work flanking the courtyard gate. Borne on their respective vehicles, a makara and a tortoise, the figures of Taleju's companions date from the 17th c. A tall four-tiered pagoda with octagonal roofs dominates the north-east corner of the court. Mul Chowk's exceptionally fine wood-carvings include roof struts embellished with the Ashta Matrikas and eight Bhairavas. In the center of the court stands a small empty shrine where at one time mystic spells are said to have been cast. Although certainly modest compared with those of the other two royal cities, Patan's Mul Chowk has a definite character of its own. Sadly, since being opened to the public it has suffered from vandalism and theft.