1 Introduction

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

Ward no.: 28

Access: from Eastern and Northern Road

Area: 544.6 sq.m (approx.)

Local Inhabitants: Newari ethnic group

No. of houses: 47

2 Current State:
 Presence of many small temples (Chibas), small chaityas erected by Buddhist devotees.
  There are many shops in the Bahal such as: hotels, grocery stores, Curious, Electrical, Puja.
 It has become a place for the devotees to worship who find it difficult to travel
Swoyambhunath Stupa as it was built for this very sole purpose.
 Today acts as a medium of spreading religious norms for the people.
 The Bahal has also become a tourist destination visiting the Kathmandu valley.

 Different Jatras and rituals being celebrated in the Bahal during special days such Sahlu,
Astami, Amaai, Purnima and a month long Jatra known as Gunla. During these special
occasions, buddha Puja and Bhajan is performed in the bahal.

3 Conservation History
Source: (Tamrakar, 2014)

 In 672 BS during reign of King Narendra Malla, Meghraj and Bijayaraj renovated chaitya
 King Pratap Malla in 767 BS and some locals renovated chaitya
 BS 986, Nara Tuladhar initiated 7 yearlong renovations
 In 988 B.S Harati Mata Temple and Shree Gha Chaitya was renovated at the same time
 Shree Gha’s committee member initiated showcasing of Depankar Buddha in Samyaks. This
became a tradition which happens today annually even today.
 In 1990 B.S Shantipur Dega was heavily damaged due to earthquake and was left in ruins. Kaji
Man Shakya of Ason conserved it and inaugurated its renovation in Nawami and was followed
by Panchadan.
 Harsha Ratna Tuladhar of Ason renovated the ‘Drishya’ of Shree Gha Chaitya in 1088 B.S. Then
this outlook we see of today was accomplished during this year.
 In 2002 B.S, Bhaju Ratna Kansakar constructed Dharma Kirti Bihar and stone paved the bahal.
  In 2066 B.S, a hailstorm destroyed the ‘Chatra’ of main chaitya. It was reconstructed with the
help of locals and Ward no.28. The ‘Matu’ of Amitabh in the main temple was robbed off to
which Basanta Bahadur conserved it.
 Amrit lal Manandhar of Thahiti donated ‘Mane’s of the Stupas
 Sanu Maya Shakya and her son constructed metal grilles with mirrors to avoid vandalism and
theft in the main Chaitya.
 Karma Bahadur Shakya re-established stolen Buddhas
 In 2067 BS reconstructions in the Shree Bahal was said to be completed. Siddhi Ratna Shakya
wrote a book about Shree Bahal conservations which was a form of closure for the 300–400-
year-old conservations being done to the Bahal.

4 Religious Aspects:
 Buddhism and Hinduism are followed by the people of Shree gha Bahal. Source: Interview with
Purna Shakya, secretary of Shree Shantighat Bajradhatu Chaitya Mahabihar Conservation
Committee.
 Three types of Buddhism further celebrated by the people of Shree Gha: Vajrayana, Mahayana
and Therbadi. (Tamrakar, 2014)
 Bihar is a place people following Buddhism live together as a society to impart knowledge and
rinse off sins.
 There are three types of Bihar based on gospels: Samanya Bihar, Madhyamik Bihar, Mahabihar
 Samanya Bihar (Kachaa Bihar): Bihar where Panchashil, Astashil followers and Buddhist
followers live
 Madhyamik Bihar (Bahil): Bhrahmacharya Monks who have advanced knowledge on Buddhist
gospels live here. Bahil is known as Mahayani Bihar and is Acharyat and Buddhacharyat
 Mahabihar: Bihar where Buddhist monks and Acharyas who give priority to Vipassyana live here.
There is a practice of Dharmagandhi as a daily ritual of Bihar.
 Today, conservation of the Bihars is said to be done mainly by Boudha Sangha (Committee).
They perform religious and cultural practices in their own Bahals. There are five types of Boudha
Sangha which are:
1. Bajracharya
2. Shakya Monk
3. Shramnera
4. Brahmacharya Monk
5. Chailak Monk

4.1 Bihars
 It is said to be a place where followers of Lord Gautam Buddha travelled and imparted
Buddhism.
 There is no evidence of Bihar constructed before Kirat Dynasty. It is believed that first Bihar was
built in the Kathmandu valley was Guun Bihar in Sakwo (Sankhu) during Gopal Raj Bansa. Its
evidence is retrieved from an inscription from Hadigoan.
 It is said that Buddhism was spread by Newar community living in the Bihar from the past. The
practice of learning, teaching and living in these Bihars enriched the Kathamandu valley with
Buddhist religion, culture, rites, art and history.
4.2 Chaityas
Chaityas are symbolic to Buddhism. In past, there was no form of Chaitya only made to be taken as a
symbol for deity.

The word ‘Chaitya’ can be seen originally used in the holy book of Buddhism Tripitaka. Chaityas are
symbol of Triratna, panchagyaan and panchabuddha. They are also symbolism for Buddhism depicting
universe, Boudha Darshan, death and positivity. It is also known as Dharmadhatu and Aadhibuddha. The
dhatu which is kept inside memorial Chaitya is known as Dharnadhatu Chaitya.

Chaityas are built for:

 For mindfulness and awakenings of mind

 For membrane of Lord buddha
 As a symbolism of preachings of Mahayani Boudha
 As a symbol of good deeds
 As a symbol of good deeds of Lord Buddha

Types of Chaityas

1. Sharirik Chaitya: Chaityas made with Lord Buddha’s ashes and built as a memorial for him
2. Parbhog Chaitya: Chaityas made with Lord Buddha’s belongings
3. Dharmadhatu Chaitya: Chaityas built as memorial for preachings, Tripitak of Buddha.
4. Upadesh Chaitya: memorial made symbolizing any individuals’ wishes.

4.3 Chaityas in Shree Gha Bihar

Chaityas based on the building materials are of following types:

 Brick Chaitya
 Stone Chaitya
 Kamalasan Prakar Chaitya
 Gaa Baaluik ( Ghantakar) Chaitya

Chaityas besides Shree Gha Chaityas total 52 in number was built mainly during Lichhchavi, Malla and
Shah period. Some were built by devotees in the later periods. These chaityas have become a part of
Shree Gha Bahal as pilgrimage site to the devotees today.

The Chaityas around Shree Gha Bahal are:

1. Shree Gha Chaitya:

The biggest Stupa located in Shree gha Bahal is the Shree Gha Chaitya. It is also known as
Shantighat Chaitya, Bajradhatu Mahabihar Chaitya and Kashi Chaitya.

2. Ajima temple (Harati mata Temple):

It is located in the North-western side of the Bahal and built in the Pagoda style similar to Ajima
temple in Swayambhu.

3. Kuleshwor

Located at the eastern side of the site and there is Chaitya at the righten side of this temple.
 4. Buddha Statue
5. Karunamaya
6. Maha Manjushree
7. Kwa Paa Dyo

It is located in the southern side of the Bahal inside Aagan Chhein. There are also Chaityas in
front of Kwa Paa Dyo.

4.4 Conservation of Shantighat Bajradhatu Chaitya

The Mahachaitya of Kathmandu metropolitan city ward no. 28 located in Shree gha Bahal and having
historic and cultural value is the white domed Chaitya is Shree Gha Chaitya. The presence of Shantighat
near Chaitya has made its name Shantighat Chaitya.

This stupa is built in Lichhchavi period.

Its dimensions are: 45 ft 45 inch Wide at the base, height 59ft 4 inches diameter of dome is 107ft3 inch.

The Chaitya’s style, shape and form is similar to Swayambhunath Stupa.

Shree Gha’s old Kashi Chaitya located in the western side of the Bahal.

4.5 Shantighat
Besides Bahals, Bahils and temples, there were also ‘Gha’s which symbolized a place, good omen and
had historical and cultural values.

5 Socio-cultural Aspects
5.1 Festivals and Rituals
 Everyday puja of Shree Gha Chaitya, Shantighat and Ajima harati temple is done at the morning
as ‘Nitya Puja’ and at evening ‘Aarati’ is performed.
 Shree Gha Jatra is performed annually during Shree Gha Punhi.
 To be performed any Pujas by Shakyas, as an establisher of Shree Gha Tantric Bagh Bajra, his
descendants in KwaBahal Guruju are worshipped.
 During Gunla, a month-long festival celebrated by Buddhists during this period, there will be a
‘Mela’. There will be Buddha Puja in the Dharma Kirti Bihar, devotees worshipping Shree Gha
Chaitya and Ajima Temple, and people singing Jyaan Maya in the ‘Jyaanmala Bhajan’ displaying
the Buddism practices in this place.
 Bajrayan followers’ festivals. Source:
1. Astami:
2. Gunla
3. Gathering
4. Pargwa
5. Dashain
6. Falgun Purnima
 Mahayan followers’ festivals: Source: Interview with
1. Gyalpo Lhoshar
2. Saga Dhawa (Jestha Month)
3. Birthday of Dalai lama
 4. Buddha Jayanti
 Shree Gha Punhi: Satwapuja done during this Purnima for the Chibas erected by devotees.
 Chudakarma is performed in the Kwa paa Chein and chudakarma yatra is performed for the
young Shakya sons’.

5.2 Shree gha jatra

Shree Gha jatra started with the establishment of Shree Gha Chaitya. It is believed that Jatra started
being celebrated from the 450 centuries. Today it is being organized by the Shakya’s 15 th committee
annually.

The Jatra is celebrated in the evening of KatiPunhi. One day before KatiPunhi it is Shree gha Punhi. In the
morning of Shree Gha Punhi arounf 7 am Shakya’s Aagan chain is opened up for main Shrine.

In Kartik Shukla 13 Triyodashi, there is hompuja at the morning and jatra in the evening. The Pancha
Buddhas are kept in ‘khat’. Amitabh, Achyobh, Amoghsidhi, Ratnasambhav and Bairochan buddhas are
the shrines for the Jatras.

Different instruments are played in the Jatras which are played together by different committees such as
Gunla Baja Khala, Na Gha Gunla Bhajakhal and Kusumbiya Lachi’s Dhimebhaja Khala. The Jatra route for
the shrines in the ‘khat’ start from Thahiti’s Stupa to Asan , Nagha and return to Shree Gha Bahal where
it ends.

6 Ajima ( Harati Mata)

7 Aagachein
uses

8 Dharma Kirti Bihar

 Dharma Kirti Bihar which is famous Bihar known for the ‘Dhammawoti Gurumaa’, female monks’
who are followers of Therbadi Buddhism. The bihar has been renovated recently and a new
building has been added. Every Saturday morning from 7:30 to 10 :30, Buddhist scholars give
classes relating to Buddhism for anyone to listen.

9 Yellow Bihar
10 Gumba at Shree Gha
uses

11 Shree Gha Gyaan Mandala

uses
12 Shree Shantighat bajradhatu chaitya Mahabihar Conservation
Committee

13 Insights
 Important place for Buddhist pilgrims
 Resting areas for tourists and travelers
 Economically viable place for local businesses due to above reasons
 Problems seen: Lack of awareness of religious site, lacks peacefulness, practice of illegal
activities in the Bahals such as medicinal abuse and violence, environment pollutions, religious
site acting as a business center
 Proposals: Buddhist library to create awareness among people visiting Shree Gha Bihar. Also
building old age homes as a social service

14 Bibliography
Tamrakar, R. T. (2014). Shree Shantighat Bajradhatu Chaitya Mahabihar. Kathmandu.

Touristy