Machchhendranath Temple is an important Patan shrine tied to one of the valley's great living festivals, the Rato Machhendranath Jatra. The deity is honoured by both Hindu and Buddhist communities, which is typical of the religious overlap that gives Patan so much of its character.
The temple is worth seeing even outside festival season, but it means more if you understand the chariot procession that periodically takes over the city streets. Combine it with Patan Durbar Square, Mahaboudha, and the smaller lanes where everyday worship is woven into workshops and courtyards.