Siddhi Narsingh Malla

Siddhi Narsingh Malla ruled Patan for over four decades, during the golden age of Malla-era art and architecture. He transformed the city into a flourishing centre of religious devotion and craftsmanship.

His most celebrated legacy is the Krishna Mandir, built in 1637. He reportedly built it after he dreamed of the gods Krishna and Radha standing before his palace. The temple is built entirely of stone, in the shikhara style, a design with a tall, curving tower. This is unlike the brick-and-timber pagodas, tiered towers with multiple roofs, that dominate the rest of the Kathmandu Valley. The Krishna Mandir remains one of Patan Durbar Square’s most striking landmarks.