Hiranyavarna Mahavihar
Hiranya varna Mahavihar is located at Kwalakhu of Patan, to the north-west of Patan Durbar Square. Renovated by king Bhaskara Dev in 1045-47 AD. and built most probably some time before the period, this monasteries of the country. The monastery area contains a Buddhist temple, Sattalas (rest house) and a Stupa. The Buddhist temple in nepali Pagoda stayle stands to the west and the other three sides are covered by buildings built with the architectural design of Nepali Sattalas. Close to the northern now of the monastery stands the Stupa where the Mahayanis and the Vajrayanis pay homage and offer worship with equal reverence whereas the image of Kwapa Dyah enshires the sanctum of the Buddhist temple mentioned above.
The roofs, windows, doors and struts and tympanums are five examples of elegance and ornate style: the roofs are gold gilded, the windows and doors are made of silver and the struts and tympanums are decorated with the equal degree of generosity.
Routine everyday rituals are performed with great reverence here. In addition special religious ceremonies are observed here on the tenth day of Kartika Sukla (Oct-Nov).
Maha Bouddha
This Shikhara style temple of Mahaboudha is situated at the place called Mahaboudha of Patan, at a walking distance to the east of Patan durbar Square. Historians are of the opinion that the temple was built in the 13th century by Abhaya Raj Vajracharya. The image of Lord Buddha enshrines the sanctum of the temple.
Historical records show that the temple was dilapidated because of the destructive earthquake of 1934 AD. and it was rebuilt exactly on the same shape immediately after the disaster. Reconstruction has certainly retained the great beauty of the one that stood on the place before the disaster, the 13th century terracotta takes the pride of being the only one of its kind in Nepal.
This Article and upcoming posts are extracted from the book, TOURIST INFORMATION DIRECTORY, 1997. by my Late Father Journalist, Sociologist & Anthropologists, Er. Ramesh Chandra Bandhu Bhattarai.
Be First to Comment