p.r.bullen - travelogue

well-fountain in patan Traditionally, in Patan, people lived in clan-based groups in large courtyards. While (as everywhere) that is breaking down and the traditional buildings are rapidly being replaced by modern boxes, there's still a lot left to see, and the guide takes us from hidden courtyard to hidden courtyard, past old buildings with window and door lintels 5 windows wide, the windows finely carved wood, the door lintel painted with the gods of the clan, to courtyards given over to stupas and shrines, a sunken tank (pond) in the corner, it's water fed by a spring channeled to a gargoyle spout. Little boys follow us down, and try to get in the picture.