Maha Bouddha
Patan - Nepal
Maha Bouddha of Patan:
Temple of 9,000 Buddhas
This
temple’s uniqueness is attributed to about 9,000 Buddha figures which have been
chiseled on every brick of the temple. The terracotta bricks are manufactured
from high quality clay. Also called the Maha Bouddha, this temple is recognized
worldwide by the name of “Temple of Thousands of Buddhas”.
Standing
silently in the nooks and corners of the Kathmandu Valley’s cities, many Nepali
architectural masterpieces and works of wonder seem to remain hidden from all.
As these well-known glories of yesteryears slowly fade from the public’s
memories, thei phenomenal existence enters a void of oblivion.
One of such several human miracles, the Maha Bouddha Temple of Oku Bahal in
Patan is also on the verge of being forgotten. Located amidst dense human
settlement, this huge temple resides in a courtyards surrounded by public
houses. But once inside Oku Bahal, no one can help gasping with amazement.
While the alley leading to this temple is lined with several shops exhibiting
the fine metal craftsmanship of the natives of Patan, the temple boasts of the
dexterity of the ancestors of these very natives. According to the archeological
records, the first stone of this temple was laid in 1564 AD, and it took almost
36 years for this grand construction to be completed.
According
to extant documents, Abhaya Raj, a local who lived in Oku Bahal, constructed the
temple. Legends have it that this man was visited by Lord Buddha Himself in his
dream. So he made a pilgrimage with his wife to Bodh Gaya. The locals also talk
about a myth that on the couple’s return trip back home, a boy monk followed
them up to Patan. This was taken as a propitious sign by the religious man and
he started constructing the temple.
Built in
the Shikar-Kut style, the structures of the temple is said to be a replica of a
Buddha temple of Bodh Gaya, the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightment.
"To build
a replica of the Buddha temple of Bodh Gaya was almost a tradition amongst the
devout Buddhist of the 16th century. People who followed Buddhism used to
construct similar types of Buddhist temples in their own countries after
visiting Bodh Gaya" says Hari Ram Joshi, a senior historian.
........to
be continued.
Source:
The Kathmandu Post, September 22, 2004 (Ashwin 6, 2061)
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