Tanga Bahal (Jestha Varna Mahavihar)
ज्येष्ठवर्ण महाविहार·टंगा बहा:
One of Patan's oldest and most principal vihars, located opposite the Rato Machhindranath Temple's monastery near Mangal Bazaar.
Dedicated To
Vajrayana Buddhist shrine
Period
Ancient (founded by Balarchana Deva)
Hours
Open courtyard (accessible during daytime)
Entry Fee
Free
Neighborhood
Tangal Tole, Mangal Bazaar area, Patan
Location
Lalitpur, Bagmati
Visiting Etiquette
Remove shoes before entering shrines. Respect the Bajracharya community's privacy. Photography in courtyard generally allowed.
Tanga Bahal, formally known as Jestha Varna Mahavihar ('Eldest-colored Monastery'), is one of the oldest and most respected Buddhist monasteries in Patan. Founded by Balarchana Deva, its Sanskrit name indicates its senior status among the city's numerous bahals.
Located in Tangal Tole, just east of the road running south from Mangal Bazaar, the bahal occupies a prominent position near Patan's commercial and spiritual heart. It sits directly opposite Ta Bahal, the monastery associated with the famous Rato Machhindranath Temple — placing it along the route of the annual Rato Machhindranath chariot procession, one of the Kathmandu Valley's most spectacular festivals.
The monastery maintains an active Bajracharya (Vajracharya) community — the hereditary Buddhist priestly caste of the Newar people who serve as ritual specialists and guardians of Vajrayana Buddhist traditions.
Tanga Bahal's location makes it an ideal stop on a walking tour of Patan's southern sacred sites, combining easily with visits to the Rato Machhindranath Temple, Mahabouddha Temple, and other nearby bahals.