List of Mahaviharas of Newar Buddhism

Newar Buddhism is one of the branches of Buddhism. One of the major elements of this branch of Buddhism is Mahavihara (महाबिहार) or Baha or great monastery. These monasteries have served as centers of learning in Newar Buddhism. These monasteries generally are built as a courtyard surrounded by two storied buildings consisting of halls.[1] Some of these monasteries have been founded as early as fifth[2] to twelfth century [3] Many of these mahaviharas are listed as historical monuments of Nepal.[1] The following is a list of these mahaviharas [1][2][4][5] -

Mahavihara (Pali) Nepal Bhasa name Location Founded Remarks
Maitripura Mahavihara Kwa Baha (Kwatha Baha) Kathmandu Thamel Built by Bakbajra who brought Kashisoyambhu (Shreegha Vihar) from Kashi
Henakara Mahavihara Dhwaka Baha Kathmandu 7th century [2] Damaged in earthquake of 1934 [2]
Hemvarna Mahavihara Gan Baha Kathmandu
Ratnaketu Mahavihara Nhu Baha Kathmandu
Ratnachaitya Mahavihara Jhwa Baha Kathmandu
Gunakar Mahavihara Chusya Baha Kathmandu
Suratshree Mahavihara Takshe Baha Kathmandu
Kanakachaitya Mahavihara Jana Baha Kathmandu Annual festival held
Keshchandra Paravarta Mahavihara Itum Baha Kathmandu 1381[6] Known for Keshchandra and Gurumapa (Official Website)
Ratnakirti Mahavihara Makhan Baha Kathmandu
Mulashree Mahavihara Mu baha Kathmandu
Mantrasiddhi Mahavihara Sawal Baha Kathmandu
Rajakirti Mahavihara Te Baha South of New Road, Kathmandu 5th century AD [2]
Shreekhanda Mahavihara Shikhamu Baha Kathmandu
Brahmachakra Mahavihara Om Baha Kathmandu
Bajrasheel Mahavihara Iku Baha Kathmandu
Munisangha Mahavihara Mikha Baha Kathmandu
Kirtipunya Mahavihara Lagan Baha Kathmandu
Kirtipunya Mahavihara Kohiti Kathmandu
Manisingha Mahavihara Musun Baha (Inner) Kathmandu
Manisangha Mahavihara Musun Baha (Outer) Kathmandu
Vikramashila Mahavihara Bhagwan Baha Thanbahil, Kathmandu Visited by Pandita Atisha Shrijana of Nalanda in 1041,[7] houses Saharsha Prajnaparamita dated 1223 AD [8]
Hiranya Varna Mahavihar Kwa Baha Lalitpur 12th century by Bhaskara Deva Verma [9] Houses Prajnaparamita dated B.S.1282 (A.D. 1226-1227)[1]
Rudravarna Mahavihara Uku Baha Lalitpur 6th century CE by Shiva Deva[10]
Ratnakar Mahavihara Ha Bahal Lalitpur
Yasodhar Mahavihara Bu Bahal Lalitpur
Jyesthavarna Mahavihara Tanga Baha (Chaku Baha) Lalitpur Contains an inscription dated N.S. 245 (1125 A.D.)[1]
Dharmakirti Mahavihara Ta Baha Lalitpur
Dattanama Mahavihara Dau Baha Lalitpur
Yempi Mahavihara I Baha Lalitpur
Gunalakshmi Mahavihara Dhum Baha Lalitpur
Chakravarna Mahavihara Cuka Baha Lalitpur Founded by Manadeva I [1]
Bajrakirti Mahavihara Wam Baha Lalitpur Inscription dates back to N.S.561 (1441A.D)[1]
Rudradeva Mahavihara Lalitpur
Vaishra Varna Mahavihara Guji Baha Lalitpur Housed a manuscript dated N.S. 373 (1253 A.D.)[1]
Mayuravarna Mahavihara Bhinche Baha Lalitpur
Jayamanohara Mahavihara Su Baha Lalitpur
Sri Vaccha Mahavihara Si Baha Lalitpur Houses a Pancharaksa manuscript dated N.S. 509 (1389 A.D)[1]
Baladhar Mahavihara Lalitpur
Akshyashwara Mahavihara Thuthu Bahi Lalitpur
Raksheshwara Mahavihara Kothu Bahi Lalitpur
Lokkirti Mahavihara Na(Naka) Bahi Lalitpur
Napichandra Mahavihara Duntu Bahi Lalitpur
Gopichandra Mahavihara Pintu Bahi Lalitpur
Lalitchandra Mahavihara Lalitpur
Saptapur Mahavihara Chika Bahi Lalitpur
Padmoccha Mahavihara Lalitpur
Rajashree Mahavihara Lalitpur
Manimandap Mahavihara Dhapaga Bahi Lalitpur
Chandrasurya Mahavihara Lalitpur
Jayashree Mahavihara Lalitpur
Gustala Mahavihara Guita Tole Lalitpur
Lokkirti Mahavihara Kinu Bahi Lalitpur
Thaveer Patra Mahavihara Lalitpur
Kamukanama Mahavihara Khwayebahi Lalitpur
Itiraja Mahavihara Ilyaa Bahi Lalitpur
Basuraja Mahavihara Lalitpur
Indravarna Mahavihara Inacho Bhaktapur
Jetvarna Mahavihara Bhaktapur
Manjuvarna Mahavihar Bekhal Tole Bhaktapur
Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Portland, OR, USA 2009

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Historical Monuments & World Heritage Sites, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City". Archived from the original on 2016-02-23. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e Asiatravel
  3. ^ Hiranya Varna Mahabihar Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Article:थथुप्वीं आचागुथिया छगू सन्दर्भ, Author: Anarratna Bajracharya, Language: Nepal Bhasa, Publication: Sandhya Times
  5. ^ Historical and World Heritage sites of Lalitpur (Nepali)
  6. ^ Lonely Planet
  7. ^ Lord Atisha in Nepal - The Thambahi & the five stupas foundations according to the Bromston itenery by Hubert Decleer, Journal of Nepal Research Centre Vol. X 1997
  8. ^ Article: Bhagwan Bahal, Author:Damodar Pradhan
  9. ^ Lumbini.org
  10. ^ Rudravarma Mahavihar Temple Preservation Committee
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