Near the historic Durbar Square of Bhaktapur lies Charuvarna Vihara, a Buddhist monastery, Built in the year 1491 A.D, this monastery was dedicated to Padmapani Lokeswar f Buddhists. This monastery was constructed by Taudhidhan Bajracharya during the reign of King Raya Malla.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
CHANGU NARAYAN TEMPLE
A few miles north of Bhaktapur, the historic temple of Changu Narayan is located on a hillock called "Dolagiri". This ancient pagoda type temple was constructed by Vishnu Gupta and later reconstructed in the reign of King Hari Datta Varma of Lichchavi period in the year 325 A.D. This temple is believed to be the oldest pagoda type temple so far available in Kathmandu Valley. It represents the ancient artistic heritage of the Lichhavi period in Nepal. This temple houses the famous ancient image of Barah, the boar incarnation of lord Vishnu. This temple is noted for its architecture and sculpture. The historic image of Garud was placed in the temple by the illustrious Lichchavi King Manadev. This temple was repaired to a considerable extent by Queen Devi Gangarani, the consort of King Shiva Singh Malla in the year 1585 A.D
BUDHANILKANTHA
This image of Nilkanth meaning "the Blue Thorated one", one of the names of Lord Vishnu, the creator of the Universe, was carved during the Lichchavi period. It has got four hands with Sankha (the conch-shell), Chakra (wheel weapon), Gada (the club with a ball at its one end) and Padma (thelotus). On the crown of the image there is an image of Buddha.
Located on the lap of the Shivapuri hill, this huge image of Budhanilkanth is one of the oldest images in Nepal. When the Valley of Kathmandu was opened for human settlement King Dharmaketu had set up an image of Budhanilkantha.
Later on, during King Dharmagati's reign, this image of Lord Vishnu was found lying buried as a result of landslides of the Shivapuri hill. King Vishnu Gupta (575 A.D) had this holy place on the lap of the Shivapuri hill excavated. When this excavation work was on , scartches were made unknowingly in the images of Vishnu while digging. And the nose and the toe of the image started to bleed.
The same story repeated during King Hari Dutta's time also. When excavation was on, the fleet of the image of Vishnu started bleeding. The image was then surrounded by a holy pond and this bleeding stopped.
Historically this wonderful scuppture dates back to the 6th century.
BOUDHA
Three miles east of Kathmandu lies Boudha. There is a famous ancient Buddhist stupa which resembles the Swayambhu stupa. As the mythology runs, it took 12 years to complete the construction of this Chaitya.
This Buddhist Stupa, one of the highest in the world, was constructed during the reign of King Mana Dev of the Lichhavi Period. when this chaitya was under construction there was no rainfall in the Valley of Kathmandu continuously for 12 years. And the clay had to be moistened for use in its construction. Some historians claim that this stupa is 2000 years old.
The watchful, four pair of eyes (possibly keeping watch for peace and prosperity of humanity) as depicted in the four cardinal sides of this Chaitya, the Buddhist Prayer-wheels around its base and murmuring prayer of"Oum Mani padme hum" of Lama priests give it a look of antiquity and holiness. The chief priest (Abbot) (popularly known as the Chiniya Lama) is Mr. Punya Bajra who surprises tourists with his mysterous Yeti (Snowman) lore.
BHAIRAB TEMPLE
This temple of Bhairab is located at Toubal tole of Bhadgaon. The history of this temple is as old as the history of the city of Bhaktapur. It was king Anand Dev who had established this city of Bhaktapur by constructing 12,000 houses for settlement. And it was the same King who had built this temple in a bit smaller size.
Centuries later, King Jagatijyotir Malla started the Chariot festival of Bhairab in the year 1570 A.D , including the famous festival of Bisket jatra (the festival of the Huge wooden pole called Lingo). Both these festivals occur simultaneously every year in the middles of April. As the history records the present temple is the contribution of King Jagatjyotir Malla.
BATSALA TEMPLE
Near the Nyatapola temple of Bhaktapur lies the temple of " the Bell barking Dogs' i.e the Batsala temple of Goddess Batsala devi. The local dogs start to bark at the peculiar sounds of the bronze bells of this temple. Thus," The bell of the Barking dogs"(Khicha Kho gan) is a noteworthy feature of the Batsala temple. This bell was hung in the temple by King Bhupatindra Malla. Built during the Malla period, this temple, which looks somewhat like the Krishna temple of Lalitour, is made of stones. The Chariot festival of Goddess Batasal devi was firstly introduced by the Lichhavi King Shiva Deva. this festival is observed jointly with the holy fair of Chandravinayak.
BARAHKSHETRA
A few miles from the main city of Biratnagar, on the banks of the Kosi river, Barahkshetra, the holy place of Hindu piligrimage, lies at the confluence to the two rivers- Saptakoshi and the Kokaha. The famous temple of God Barah is located on the left bank of the Kosi river at a distance of 4 miles from Dharan. The two storey temple houses the image of Barah, the boar- incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Historians have traced the existence of this image from the 12th century.
Every year in the month of October a grand holy fair is held at Barahkshetra. This fair lasts for 5 days. during this fair thousands of pilgrims from the the Nepalese Tarai and mountainous regions as well as Hindus from India visit this holy place to pay homage to God Barah, the boar incarnation. The devotees dip in the holy water at the confluence of the two rivers-the Saptakoshi and the Kokaha. They bring water from the confluence and offer to God Barah. Barahkshetra is one of the four prominent places of Hindu pilgrimage. Some 2 miles from Barahkshetra lies another temple of the white Barah. . Nearby is the monastery of Chatara.
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