Nagbahal

The history of the Nagbahal and the neighbouring Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (also popularly known as the Golden Temple) goes back to the 11th century. Almost all of the residents of this beautiful courtyard are Buddhists and are affiliated to the "Sangha" of the Hiranya Varna Mahavihar. The Dhakhwa family is one of the most renowned noble families who have been dwelling in Nagbahal since ancient times. Along with the Dhakhwas there are other families: Shakya, Joshi, Bajracharya, Maharjan, and Napit.

Stupa and vajra in front of the Dyalko Bhagwan Temple

The Dyalko Bhagwan Temple, the main temple of Nagbahal, is located more or less in the centre of the courtyard. It is a relatively new, two storey builing in the Newa style of architecture, built like a Nepalese sattal. In the past the building has been used as a Buddhist school. The statue of the deity inside the temple is a Shakyamuni Buddha. A second votive sculpture in the temple is of Mahakala.[2]

The maintenance of the temple is in the hands of a guthi.[2]

In front of the main entrance, there are a stupa and a vajra on a pedestal.[2]

Stone Spout (hiti) at Nag Bahal

Another important feature of Nagbahal is a stone spout dating back to the ancient history of Nepal.[1] After having been dry for a considerable time, the Nag Bahal Hiti Rehabilitation project restored the hiti, funded by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and supported by the Nagbahal Hiti User Group. The works included repairing the inlet and outlet channels of the hiti, while at the same time mapping the channel for future maintenance.[1][3] Unfortunately, the water has since been contaminated by sewage from a broken sewer line. Only people who do not know this are using the water now.[4]

Buddha Statue at Nagbahal

Dīpankara Buddha statues assembled at Nagbahal

Every five years the Newar Buddhist festival Samyak Mahadan is held for two days at Nagbahal. The festival celebrates Dīpankara Buddha, a Buddha of the past. Countless sculptures of Dīpankara Buddha are carried around on the square to receive offerings from devotees.[5][2]

Samyak Mahadan is also celebrated in Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, but at different intervals.[5]

Nagbahal, and especially the sculpture of Neel Thu, The Blue Horned Oxen, is the starting point of the Dipankha Yatra, a 66 kilometres (41 mi) long procession to over a hundred religious sites in the Kathmandu Valley.[6][2]