CONSERVATION STUDIO

MAHALAKSHMI TEMPLE COURTYARD

(BODE, THIMI)

GROUP MEMBERS
AYUSHMA BAIDAWAR (740108)
PRIYA SUWAL (740126)
REBIKA KARKI (740128)
RINU TWAYANA (740129)
ROMAN THAPA MAGAR (740133)
SANGYA TULSI (740139)
UJJWAL SHAKHA (740147)
 GROUP MEMBERS

REBIKA KARKI PRIYA SUWAL RINU TWAYANA ROMAN THAPA MAGAR UJJWAL SHAKHA SANGYA TULSI AYUSHMA BAIDAWAR
 INTRODUCTION
◦ MAHALAKSHMI temple courtyard
◦ Location : Bhangu Tole
◦ Style : Two tiered temple
◦ Constructed : 17th century
◦ Deity : Mahalakshmi
◦ Records : 1739 and 1628

Location of Bode
Map by F. Nunnemann (2020)
Mahalakshmi temple no. 6

Bhangu tole
PREVIOUS DOCUMENTATION

Map and photos in Carl Pruscha, Kathmandu Valley, Vol. 1, Wien 1975
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
◦ Bisket Jatra and Tongue Pirecing Festival It is one of the most important festivals of Bode. The erection of lingo is done on the premise of
Mahalaxmi temple of Bhangutole. Route of Tongue piercing Festival The procession starts from Layaku and then it goes to Kumari tole,
Bishnughat, Bhangu Tole, Khasi Tole, Debu Tole, Khapla Tole, Nachu Tole, Lachhi Tole and finally to Bhagu Tole (Mahalaxmi Temple)
◦ Nilbarahi Dance: It is also known as Mahakali dance which falls every year on Bhadra, celebrated fromBhadra second to fifth of lunar
calender. It is also called Nilbarahi Gananach as 19 gods and goddess are involved. Route of Dance The route of the dance started from
Agamche and continued to Lachitole, Layaku, Bishnughat, Bhangutole, Khasitole, Khaplatole, Nachutole and then back again to Lachitole
and then Agamche.
◦ Pouring Local Beer “Jal Thanegu” Ceremony In Baishak 1st yearly, a pit inside Mahalaxmi temple is made full by pouring local beer. This
kind of ritual works as a prediction tool in forecasting rainfall.

Ref: Conservation of Settlement of Bode

◦ 2015 earthquake has caused severe damage to temple and to protect it from getting further damaged support have been
provided with wooden struts.
 MASTER PLAN

1. Mahalaxmi Temple 8. Sattal

2. Lion column pillar 9. Shree Gyan Bikas Primary School
3. Inscription 10. Madhyapur Thimi Municipality ward 9
4. Bhajan Mandal 11. Bode chaitya
5. Ganesh temple 12. Sleeping Vishnu
6. Nasa dyo 13. Water tap
7. Storage 14. Pati
 1. Mahalakshmi Temple
Mahalaxmi temple of Bode is also counted
among the four Mahalaxmi of Kathmandu
valley. Inside the temple, there are two stone
images representing Bhairava and
Mahalaxmi. But those stones are put in the
upright position. As per the local darn, when
they became uncontrollable and started to eat
humans, they were placed like that.
This two storey brick temple has quite
elaborate facade. The entrance to the
sanctum
consists of a latticed doorway with torana
of Mahalakshimi. The latticed window
balcony
just below the first tile roof is supported
by struts carved with the Ashtamtrikas,
similar to
those supporting the upper roof.
.According to the inscriptions, the guthi
established in 1739
and the torana added in 1628.
In the courtyard are
images of Mahakshami, Ganesh,
Nriteshvar ,Mahakal and a stupa
2. Lion column pillar 3. Inscription
 4. Bhajan mandal and 5. Ganesh temple

Ganesh temple is one storey structure with main sanctuary

open. The structure is supported on four wooden pillars supporting
the roof. The pillars are beautifully carved .It consists of finial on tiled
roof. The needle that is pierced on Bisket jatra is nailed to this temple
6 Nasa dyo 7.Storage 8.Sattal

The temple stands on a

rectangular base and rises
almost uniformly from the
ground. The niche opening
is outlined with a stone
frame. The arched stone
block has five god icons
with Nrityanath, on top
center and Ganesh and
Kumar at bottom. The niche
houses a stone Chheppu
inside.
9. Shree Gyan Bikas Primary School 10. Madhyapur Thimi Municipality ward 9
 11. Bode Chaitya 12. Sleeping Vishnu

Inscription suggests that the stupa was constructed by JayaChand

and his family. The chaitya stands on a platform. The square base of
the chaitya rises uniformly up from the platform where it receives a
roof-like band that slightly projects from the wall surfaceThe base
of the chaitya has four niches on the cardinal direction. Each of
these niches houses an icon of Tahgatas.
13. Water tap 14. Pati
Additional information
REFERENCES:
 CONSERVATION OF SETTLEMENT OF BODE, RIJA JOSHI