Golden Temple

The Golden Temple also known as the Hiranya Varna or Suwarna Mahavihara is located in the north of Patan Durbar Square. It was founded in the 12th century and it has existed in its current form since 1409. The temple got its name from the gilded metal plates that covers most of its frontage and it is one of the most beautiful temples in patan. Entry is through an ornate narrow stone doorway to the east, or a wooden doorway to the west from interlinked courtyard of Nakabhil. The doorway is flanked by gaudy painted guardian lions. The second door has carvings of Buddha depicting the path of practicing paramita to achieve Bodhisattva. The second doorway leads to the main courtyard of the temple. Shoes, leather articles must be removed to enter the lower courtyard. The inner courtyard has a railed walkway around three sides and the entry is flanked by two stone elephants.  

The temple itself is a splendid example of courtyard temple architecture. Inside the main shrine is a beautiful statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. To the left of the courtyard there is a statue of Green Tara and in the right corner is a statue of the Bodhisattva Vajrasattva wearing an impressive silver and gold cape. Facing the main temple is a smaller shrine containing swayambhu chaitya. The four corners of the courtyard have statues of four Lokeshvaras and four monkeys holding jackfruits as an offering. The main priest of the temple is a young boy under the age of 12, who serves 30 days before handing over to another young boy. A stairway leads to an upper floor chapel devoted to a white eight-armed Avalokiteshvara, lined with Tibetan style frescoes including a wheel of life. As you leave the temple from the eastern exit, look up to see an embossed mandala mounted on the ceiling. The temple is much bigger from the inside than it seems looking from outside. There are falcha-seating spaces along the passages around the temple. The spinning of prayers wheel, butter lamp offerings, sights of devotees putting on red tilak and smell of incense lend the place a calm and meditative tranquility.

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Rudra Varna Mahavihar

Patan is famous for religious sites. Tourists from different countries visit this place to observe traditional Newari monuments. Rudra Varna Mahavihar is one of the most beautiful monastery of patan and a better Nepal tourist place. It is located in Lalitpur Okhubahal, near the world famous Mahaboudha Terracotta temple which is also known as nine thousand Buddha temple. It is nearly 500 meters away from Patan Durbar Square. The Mahavihar was built by Lichhavi king Shiva Deva in 6th century A.D. Thus, it is named Shiva Deva Sanskarita. The king became Buddhist monk in this vihar and after some days according to his teacher’s guidance he lived as a house hold monk and spent each day meditating before the image of buddha he had installed in the main shrine of vihar. His sons and grandsons carried the tradition. After 400 years the vihar was renovated by king Rudra Deva, since the name of the vihar became Shiva Deva Sanskarita Shree Rudra Varna Mahavihar.

The entrance of the vihar is a gate with two large stone lions welcoming the visitors. The lions hold the spears by both hands and half moon symbol is raised in between them. The moon symbolizes Chandra, the spear indicates Sama and the lion indicates Shera. So, in this way the name of Chandra Sham Shera is symbolized in the gate. Entering the gate one can reach first compound of the vihar called Ubaha Gathicha. There are three deities in this compound, they are Shakyamuni Buddha, Chaitya and Lokeshwara. Passing through the entry way there is the main shrine of the vihar and courtyard. The shrine is 3 storied facing north. At the center of the shrine in ground floor, there is a large image of Shakyamuni Buddha adorned with various ornaments. The door of the main shrine is decorated with gold plated respousee metal sheets with floral design and molded images. The courtyard of the vihar is filled with large collection of metal casted figures. The image of lion, elephant, peacock, horse and garuda are installed in both sides of the main shrine as the vehicle symbols of Pancha Buddha. This place is pleasant, the walls and altars of this place is quite popular for their statues and the place is worth a visit.

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Mahaboudha

Patan has many religious sites among which Mahaboudha is one of them. It is located at the south of Patan Durbar Square in the place named Okhubahal. It is the Buddhist temple made from thousands of clay bricks engraved with breathtaking religious carvings. Built in the Indian shikhara style. This temple is one of several attractions of culture. It is the masterpiece of brick and tile, reveals an art and tradition. Mahaboudha was built by a priest named Abhaya Raj of Patan. Because of the earthquake in 2015 the temple had some mild damage and still renovation is going on. The temple is sometimes called the temple of 9000 buddhas because every single brick depicts a small buddha images.

In the corner of the courtyard a smaller shrine to Maya devi, the buddha’s mother has been constructed. The surrounding lanes of the temple is full of shops selling high quality Patan style metal statues. The temple is designed in commemoration to the original temple in India called Bodhgaya where buddha obtained enlightenment. Mahaboudha is a peaceful place to visit, you can light a butter lamp and pray for your well-being. This temple is a great pilgrim for the Buddhist practitioners. Buddhists from all over the world comes to worship the Buddha and feel eternal peace and satisfaction.

On the ground floor of the temple the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha displaying earth touching gesture is established. And on the first floor Amitabha Tathagata is installed. Similarly, on third, fourth and fifth floor Panchajinalaya Swayambhu Chaitya, Dharmadhatu Mandala, Vajradhatu Mandala and Suryaniranjan Chaitya are established respectively. This temple is may be the best and first temple which has been built up of terracotta in the country. But sadly, since the shrine is placed in a small courtyard that hardly has enough open space it is unable to view the peak of the temple unless you climb the adjoining house. The architecture of the temple is still one of the living arts of Nepal. The entry fee for foreigners is Rs.50 and opening hours is 9 am to 5:30pm.

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