King Yognarendra Malla Statue: Your Guide to Patan's Iconic Ruler - Nepal Purple Travel Guide

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Rising gracefully on a tall stone column in the heart of Patan Durbar Square, the statue of King Yog Narendra Malla is one of the most iconic monuments in the Square. This elegant bronze figure, crafted in the early 18th century, honors a beloved Malla king whose reign (1684–1705) marked a period of cultural and architectural brilliance in Patan.

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King Yognarendra Malla Statue - A King Immortalized in Bronze

The statue was erected in 1700, just five years before the king's death. It portrays King Yog Narendra Malla in a kneeling, prayerful pose, facing the sacred Taleju Temple, the royal deity of the Malla kings. The detailed craftsmanship of the statue reflects both royal dignity and spiritual devotion, values deeply rooted in the Malla dynasty.
The name Yog Narendra combines ‘Yog’, suggesting spiritual discipline or union, and ‘Narendra’, meaning king or ruler, reflecting his role as a spiritually guided monarch.

King Yognarendra Malla Statue - A Column Full of Legends

The statue sits atop a tall monolithic pillar, and its top is adorned with a cobra and a small bird — both key parts of local legend. According to tradition, the cobra was placed to protect the king’s spirit, and it is said that as long as the bird remains on the statue, the king’s soul continues to watch over Patan.

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

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