Bhinche Bahal (Mayurvarna Mahavihar)
मयूरवर्ण महाविहार·भिन्चे बहा:
One of the 18 principal mahavihars of Patan, the 'Peacock-colored Monastery' is a well-preserved example of the traditional bahal pilgrimage circuit.
Dedicated To
Vajrayana Buddhist shrine
Period
Medieval (part of the 18 Mahavihar network)
Hours
Open courtyard (accessible during daytime)
Entry Fee
Free
Neighborhood
Central Patan, near Pilache Bahal
Location
Lalitpur, Bagmati
Visiting Etiquette
Remove shoes before entering shrines. Walk clockwise around chaityas. Photography may be restricted during rituals.
Bhinche Bahal, formally known as Mayurvarna Mahavihar (meaning 'Peacock-colored Monastery'), is one of the 18 principal mahavihars of Patan under the traditional Acharya Guthi network. These 18 bahals form a sacred pilgrimage circuit that has been central to Newar Buddhist practice for centuries.
The name 'Mayurvarna' reflects the decorative traditions of Newar Buddhist art, where vivid colors and intricate metalwork bring monastery courtyards to life. The bahal features traditional courtyard architecture surrounded by cells that originally housed monks and now serve the Bajracharya priestly community.
As part of the 18-bahal network, Bhinche Bahal plays a role in collective rituals that bind Patan's Buddhist community together. The adjacent park area provides a peaceful setting that contrasts with the dense urban fabric of old Patan.
Visiting Bhinche Bahal alongside other bahals in the neighborhood offers insight into the remarkable density of Buddhist heritage in Patan — a city that holds more Buddhist monasteries per square kilometer than almost anywhere else in the world.