Bahal · Buddhist
Tanga Bahal (Jestha Varna Mahavihar)
ज्येष्ठवर्ण महाविहार❊टंगा बहा:
Vajrayana Buddhist shrine·Ancient (founded by Balarchana Deva)·Lalitpur
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)
Admission
Free
Neighborhood
Tangal Tole, Mangal Bazaar area, Patan
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.
Best visited in autumn.autumn: best, 10°C to 27°C. Clear skies and comfortable temperatures. Perfect for a leisurely Patan bahal-hopping walk. monsoon: possible, 20°C to 30°C. Light showers don't diminish the courtyard charm. The ancient stone work looks rich when wet. spring: good, 12°C to 30°C. Pleasant walking weather for Patan's heritage trail. This less-visited bahal rewards curious explorers. winter: good, 2°C to 20°C. Quiet and atmospheric. The courtyard is serene in winter light. A peaceful cultural discovery.
The Almanac
Light showers don't diminish the courtyard charm. The ancient stone work looks rich when wet.
Folio III
Nearby Sacred Sites
Places within a short walk that help turn this stop into a small sacred cluster.
Co Bahal (Kacchapal Giri Mahavihar)
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.
Jagannarayan Temple (Char Narayan)
One of the oldest temples in Patan Durbar Square, this 1565 two-tiered Vishnu pagoda anchors the southern end of the temple row with erotic roof struts and ancient stone carvings.
Vishwanath Temple
A handsome two-tiered Shiva pagoda in Patan Durbar Square, guarded by stone elephants and adorned with erotic roof-strut carvings in the classic Newar tradition.
Guji Bahal (Vaishravarna Mahavihar)
One of the 18 principal mahavihars of Patan, named after Vaishravana (Kubera), the Buddhist guardian king of the north and deity of wealth.
Krishna Mandir
Nepal's finest stone shikhara temple, built in 1637 by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla — a three-tiered masterpiece with 21 golden pinnacles and exquisite Mahabharata and Ramayana bas-reliefs.
Coda
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