Bahals of Patan (Lalitpur)
19 ancient Buddhist monastery courtyards in Patan
Patan preserves some of the finest stone and metal sculpture in South Asia — including the Hiranya Varna Mahavihara (Golden Temple) and Mahabouddha's terracotta Buddhas.
Rudravarna Mahavihar (Okubahal)
रुद्रवर्ण महाविहार
An ancient 6th-century Newar Buddhist monastery in Patan with three interconnected courtyards, renowned for its exquisite stone and metal sculptures.
Okubahal, Patan
Mahabouddha Temple (Temple of a Thousand Buddhas)
महाबुद्ध मन्दिर
A unique shikhara-style tower entirely covered in terracotta tiles, each bearing a hand-carved image of Buddha, modeled after the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.
Mahabouddha Tole, Patan
Nag Bahal (Nagbahal)
नागबहाल
One of Patan's oldest Buddhist courtyards and the gathering site for the Samyak Mahadan festival, where all Dipankara Buddha images from across Patan are assembled.
Nagbahal, south of Patan Durbar Square
Bhinche Bahal (Mayurvarna Mahavihar)
मयूरवर्ण महाविहार
One of the 18 principal mahavihars of Patan, the 'Peacock-colored Monastery' is a well-preserved example of the traditional bahal pilgrimage circuit.
Central Patan, near Pilache Bahal
Tanga Bahal (Jestha Varna Mahavihar)
ज्येष्ठवर्ण महाविहार
One of Patan's oldest and most principal vihars, located opposite the Rato Machhindranath Temple's monastery near Mangal Bazaar.
Tangal Tole, Mangal Bazaar area, Patan
Guji Bahal (Vaishravarna Mahavihar)
वैश्रवर्ण महाविहार
One of the 18 principal mahavihars of Patan, named after Vaishravana (Kubera), the Buddhist guardian king of the north and deity of wealth.
Sundhara, central Patan
Bu Bahal (Yashodhar Mahavihar)
यशोधर महाविहार
An ancient monastery named after Yashodhara, wife of the Buddha, historically notable as founded by a converted Brahmin reflecting the Valley's fluid religious boundaries.
Gabahal, Patan
Dhum Bahal (Gunalakshmi Mahavihar)
गुणलक्ष्मी महाविहार
One of the traditional 18 bahals of Patan, Dhum Bahal (Gunalakshmi Mahavihar) is a historic Newar Buddhist monastery courtyard in the old city of Lalitpur.
Patan Old City
Wan Bahal (Bajra Kirti Mahavihar)
बज्रकीर्ति महाविहार
Bajra Kirti Mahavihar (Wan Bahal) is one of the 18 principal bahals of Patan, with an inscription dating to 1441 CE confirming its medieval origins.
Patan Old City
Jyo Bahal (Jyoti Varna Mahavihar)
ज्योतिवर्ण महाविहार
Jyoti Varna Mahavihar (Jyo Bahal) is one of the 18 principal Newar Buddhist monastery courtyards of Patan, whose name evokes 'radiance' or 'light'.
Patan Old City
Yachu Bahal (Baladhara Gupta Mahavihar)
बलधर गुप्त महाविहार
Baladhara Gupta Mahavihar (Yachu Bahal) is one of the 18 traditional bahals of Patan, a quiet Buddhist monastery courtyard in the old city.
Patan Old City
Su Bahal (Jayamanohara Mahavihar)
जयमनोहर महाविहार
Jayamanohara Mahavihar (Su Bahal) is one of Patan's 18 principal bahals — the 'Monastery of Victorious Delight', a tranquil Buddhist courtyard.
Patan Old City
Cuka Bahal (Chakravarna Mahavihar)
चक्रवर्ण महाविहार
Chakravarna Mahavihar (Cuka Bahal) is one of Patan's 18 principal bahals, believed to have been founded by the Licchavi king Manadeva I in the 5th century.
Patan Old City
Ta Bahal (Dharma Kirti Mahavihar)
धर्मकीर्ति महाविहार
Dharma Kirti Mahavihar (Ta Bahal) is one of Patan's 18 principal bahals — the 'Monastery of Dharma's Glory', preserving Newar Buddhist traditions.
Patan Old City
Dau Bahal (Dattanama Mahavihar)
दत्तनाम महाविहार
Dattanama Mahavihar (Dau Bahal) is one of the 18 traditional bahals of Patan, a Buddhist monastery courtyard preserving centuries of Newar heritage.
Patan Old City
Si Bahal (Sri Vaccha Mahavihar)
श्री वच्छ महाविहार
Sri Vaccha Mahavihar (Si Bahal) is one of Patan's 18 principal bahals, housing a Pancharaksa manuscript dated to 1389 CE among its historical treasures.
Patan Old City
Co Bahal (Kacchapal Giri Mahavihar)
कच्छपाल गिरि महाविहार
Kacchapal Giri Mahavihar (Co Bahal) is one of the 18 traditional bahals of Patan — the 'Tortoise Mountain Monastery', completing the sacred network of Newar Buddhist courtyards.
Patan Old City
Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple)
हिरण्यवर्ण महाविहार
Patan's celebrated Golden Temple — a 12th-century Newar Buddhist bahal sheathed in gilded copper, with a rotating boy priest and an 800-year-old Prajnaparamita manuscript.
Patan Durbar Square area
Ha Bahal (Ratnakar Mahavihar)
रत्नाकर महाविहार
Ratnakar Mahavihar (Ha Bahal) is one of Patan's most significant bahals — the official residence of the living Kumari goddess of Patan, with exclusively Vajracharya membership.
Mangal Bazaar, Patan