Bahals and Mahavihars
A living archive of Newar Buddhism
The rituals, monasteries and histories of the Bajracharya of Kathmandu.
Written for anyone curious about Newar Buddhism and its unique married Vajrayana priestly tradition — from the courtyards of the bahals to the self-arisen light of Swayambhu.
- 56 articles
- 11 chapters
- 12 books
- Since 2001
Why this history matters
A city already laid out in four quarters
Long before anyone spoke of urban planning, the Kathmandu Valley was organised as an uptown, a midtown, a palace quarter and a downtown, each with its own mahavihars and its own founding teacher. Maitripur Mahavihar, first of the eighteen, is placed in the fifth century CE, in the Licchavi period. The Bajracharya story is not a history apart: it is the civic history of the valley. The eighteen bahals of the Acharya Guthi →
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थने पुइँ
Thane Puin
Uptown
Wak Bajra Bajracharya of Maitripur Mahavihar
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दथु पुइँ
Dathu Puin
Midtown
Surat Bajra Bajracharya of Suratshree Mahavihar
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लायकू पुइँ
Layaku Puin
Durbar Square
Lila Bajra Bajracharya of Shreekhanda Tarumula Mahavihar
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क्वने पुइँ
Kwane Puin
Downtown
Manju Bajra Bajracharya of Manisingha Mahavihar
The flagship translation
स्वयम्भू पुराण
Swayambhu Purana
Mythological History of Nepal Valley
Eleven chapters retelling how Manjushri drained the great lake, and how the self-arisen light became a chaitya.
Revised digital edition · Sharad Bajracharya
After the first English translation, 1978 · Mana Bajra Bajracharya
In tribute to Shri Ramananda Shakya, Sanskrit edition, 1813
- 01 Swayambhu Purana: Introduction
- 02 Vipaswi Tathagata: Origin of Swayambhu
- 03 Sikhi Tathagata: Worshipping Swayambhu
- 04 Vishwabhu Tathagata: Manjushri and Birth of Nepal Valley
- 05 Krakucchanda Tathagata: Origin of 12 Tirtha and 8 Vitaraga
- 06 Kanakamuni Tathagata: Dharmadhatu Vagishwara
- 07 Kashyapa Tathagata: Shantikar Acharya and Concealment of Swayambhu
- 08 Blessings of Shakyamuni Buddha
- 09 Glory of Shantikar Vajracharya
- 10 Shantikar and Good Rainfall
- 11 Glory of Swayambhu
Explore
Seven ways into the archive
Bahals and Mahavihars
Monastery courtyards of the valley
8 articles →
History of Bajracharya
Lineages, mahasiddhas and roots
8 articles →
Newar Buddhism
Tantra, deities and doctrine
12 articles →
Bajracharya Mantras and Rituals
Stotras, pujas, step by step
11 articles →
Stories on Bajracharya and Buddhism
Gurumapa, Singha Sartha Bahu, tales
3 articles →
Newar Festivals
Jatras and nakhas of the Newar year
14 articles →
Swayambhu Purana
The eleven-chapter origin story of the Nepal Valley
11 chapters →
Latest
Recently published
Bahals and Mahavihars
Kwabahal (क्वाबहाल) – Maitripur Mahavihar (मैत्रीपुर महाविहार)
Newar Buddhism
Karunamaya and Machhindranath Are NOT the Same Entity
Newar Buddhism
Karunamaya: 108 Names of Lokesvara (Avalokitesvara)
Document Archive
Free books to download
Scholarly works on Newar Buddhism, gathered for readers who cannot reach a Kathmandu library. Browse all →
PDF · English
Mythological History of Nepal Valley from Svayambhu Purana — PDF, English, opens in a new tab
First English Version of Swayambhu Purana.
PDF · Nepali
Vajrayana Nepal — PDF, Nepali, opens in a new tab
Detail explanation of Vajrayana in context of Newar Buddhism and Bajracharya Culture.
PDF · Newari
Prasiddha Bajracharyas — PDF, Newari, opens in a new tab
List of Ancient and Famous Bajracharyas – Mahasiddhas.
Preserving Bajracharya heritage since 2001. A place where the past and the present meet: the profound teachings, vibrant culture and rich history of this ancient tradition, for the Bajracharya community and for Buddhism enthusiasts across the globe.
Corrections and contributions are welcome.