Mangal Dharmadweep Mahavihar (Jhaur Bahi)

Mangal Dharmadweep Mahavihar, locally known as Jhaur Bahi, is a Buddhist monastery in the Golmadhi Tole quarter of Bhaktapur. With origins in the 13th century, the monastery has undergone several renovations while preserving its essential character and treasures.

The monastery is notable for its rare wall paintings depicting various Buddhas and bodhisattvas — a precious survival of Newar Buddhist art that is increasingly endangered across the Valley. The main shrine houses a Dipankar Buddha dressed in distinctive blue garments alongside a Buddha Shakyamuni statue, creating a visually striking devotional space.

Jhaur Bahi participates in the Samyak Dan Parva procession route, during which its Dipankar Buddha image joins those from other Bhaktapur bahals in a collective ceremony that is one of the most important Buddhist events in the city's ritual calendar.

Golmadhi Tole is one of Bhaktapur's principal squares, making Mangal Dharmadweep Mahavihar relatively easy to find compared to some of the city's more hidden monasteries. The combination of rare wall paintings, historical significance, and central location makes this an excellent stop for visitors interested in Bhaktapur's Buddhist heritage.