Religious and cultural festivities form a major part of the lives of people residing in Kathmandu.

Tourism is an important part of the city's economy and it is renowned for its festivals and feasts, ancient art, and the making of metallic, wood and stone statues.

Lalitpur is also home to Patan Durbar Square, which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

One of them was called Lalit, a farmer who carried god Rato Machhindranath to the valley all the way from Assam, India.

During the month-long festival, an idol of Rato Machhendanath is placed on a tall chariot and pulled through the city streets in stages.

Later Lalitpur is said to have been re-established by King Veer Deva in 299 AD, but there is unanimity among scholars that Patan was a well established and developed town since ancient times.

Kathmandu, the present capital was most possibly removed from Thankot to Patan after the Kirati King Yalamber came into power sometimes around second century AD.

The early years of the Malla era were turbulent, with raids and attacks from Khas and Turk Muslims.

There was also a devastating earthquake which claimed the lives of a third of Kathmandu's population, including the king Abhaya Malla.

These disasters led to the destruction of most of the architecture of the Licchavi era (such as Mangriha and Kailashkut Bhawan), and the loss of literature collected in various monasteries within the city.

Despite the initial hardships, Kathmandu rose to prominence again and, during most of the Malla era, dominated the trade between India and Tibet.

During the later part of the Malla era, Kathmandu Valley comprised four fortified cities: Kantipur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur.

Evidence of an influx of ideas from India, Tibet, China, Persia, and Europe among other places can be found in a stone inscription from the time of king Pratap Malla.

Books have been found from this era that describe their tantric tradition (e.g. Tantrakhyan), medicine (e.g. Haramekhala), religion (e.g. Mooldevshashidev), law, morals, and history.

It was developed on relatively thin layers of deposited clay and gravel in the central part of a dried ancient lake known as the Nagdaha.

The four thurs or mounds on the perimeter of Patan are ascribed around, one at each corner of its cardinal points, which are popularly known as Asoka Stupas.

[14] Religious groups in Lalitpur In terms of religion, 82.3% were Hindu, 17.2% Buddhist, 0.7% Christian, 1.00% Kirati, 0.8% Muslim, 0.1% Prakriti and 0.2% others.

[16] A substantial portion of the population is engaged in trades, notably in traditional handicrafts and small-scale cottage industries, and some residents work in agriculture.

Lalitpur has produced the highest number of renowned artists and finest craftsmen ever recorded in the history of Nepali art.

Lalitpur has maintained a culture of craftwork even in the face of rapid urbanization and many social and political upheavals.

Nepal National Library which was established in 1957 AD was moved to Lalitpur from Singha Durbar in 2061 BS.

Sajha Yatayat is another major public vehicle service that connects Lalitpur with its neighboring districts.