Newar Buddhism is one of the branches of Buddhism. One of the major elements of this branch of Buddhism is Mahavihara (महाबिहार) or Baha or great monastery. These monasteries have served as centers of learning in Newar Buddhism. These monasteries generally are built as a courtyard surrounded by two storied buildings consisting of halls. Some of these monasteries have been founded as early as fifth to twelfth century Hiranya Varna Mahabihar Many of these mahaviharas are listed as historical monuments of Nepal. The following is a list of these mahaviharas Article:थथुप्वीं आचागुथिया छगू सन्दर्भ, Author: Anarratna Bajracharya, Language: Nepal Bhasa, Publication: Sandhya TimesHistorical and World Heritage sites of Lalitpur (Nepali) - Mahavihara (Sanskrit) Nepal Bhasa name Location Founded Remarks Maitripura Mahavihara Kwa Baha (Kwatha Baha) Kathmandu Thamel Built by Bakbajra who brought Kashisoyambhu (Shreegha Vihar) from Kashi Henakara Mahavihara Dhwaka Baha Kathmandu 7th century Damaged in earthquake of 1934 Hemvarna Mahavihara Gan Baha Kathmandu Ratnaketu MahaviharaNhu BahaKathmandu Ratnachaitya Mahavihara Jhwa Baha Kathmandu Gunakar Mahavihara Chusya Baha Kathmandu Suratshree Mahavihara Takshe Baha Kathmandu Kanakachaitya Mahavihara Jana Baha Kathmandu Annual festival held Keshchandra Paravarta Mahavihara Itum Baha Kathmandu 1381Lonely Planet Known for Keshchandra and Gurumapa (Official Website) Ratnakirti Mahavihara Makhan Baha Kathmandu Mulashree Mahavihara Mu baha Kathmandu Mantrasiddhi Mahavihara Sawal Baha Kathmandu Rajakirti Mahavihara Te Baha South of New Road, Kathmandu 5th century AD Shreekhanda MahaviharaShikhamu Baha Kathmandu Brahmachakra Mahavihara Om Baha Kathmandu Bajrasheel Mahavihara Iku Baha Kathmandu Munisangha Mahavihara Mikha Baha Kathmandu Kirtipunya Mahavihara Lagan BahaKathmandu Kirtipunya MahaviharaKohitiKathmandu Manisingha Mahavihara Musun Baha (Inner) Kathmandu Manisangha Mahavihara Musun Baha (Outer) Kathmandu Vikramashila MahaviharaBhagwan BahaThanbahil, Kathmandu Visited by Pandita Atisha Shrijana of Nalanda in 1041,Lord Atisha in Nepal - The Thambahi & the five stupas foundations according to the Bromston itenery by Hubert Decleer, Journal of Nepal Research Centre Vol. X 1997 houses Saharsha Prajnaparamita dated 1223 AD Article: Bhagwan Bahal, Author:Damodar Pradhan Hiranya Varna Mahavihar Kwa Baha Lalitpur 12th century by Bhaskara Deva Verma Lumbini.org Houses Prajnaparamita dated B.S.1282 (A.D. 1226-1227)Rudravarna MahaviharaUku Baha Lalitpur6th century CE by Shiva DevaRudravarma Mahavihar Temple Preservation Committee Ratnakar MahaviharaHa Bahal Lalitpur Yasodhar MahaviharaBu Bahal Lalitpur Jyesthavarna MahaviharaTanga Baha (Chaku Baha) Lalitpur Contains an inscription dated N.S. 245 (1125 A.D.) Dharmakirti MahaviharaTa Baha Lalitpur Dattanama Mahavihara Dau Baha Lalitpur Yempi Mahavihara I Baha Lalitpur Gunalakshmi Mahavihara Dhum Baha Lalitpur Chakravarna MahaviharaCuka Baha Lalitpur Founded by Manadeva I Bajrakirti MahaviharaWam Baha Lalitpur Inscription dates back to N.S.561 (1441A.D) Rudradeva Mahavihara Lalitpur Vaishra Varna MahaviharaGuji Baha Lalitpur Housed a manuscript dated N.S. 373 (1253 A.D.) Mayuravarna MahaviharaBhinche Baha Lalitpur Jayamanohara MahaviharaSu Baha Lalitpur Sri Vaccha MahaviharaSi Baha Lalitpur Houses a Pancharaksa manuscript dated N.S. 509 (1389 A.D) Baladhar Mahavihara Lalitpur Akshyashwara MahaviharaThuthu Bahi Lalitpur Raksheshwara MahaviharaKothu Bahi Lalitpur Lokkirti MahaviharaNa(Naka) Bahi Lalitpur Napichandra MahaviharaDuntu Bahi Lalitpur Gopichandra MahaviharaPintu Bahi Lalitpur Lalitchandra Mahavihara Lalitpur Saptapur MahaviharaChika Bahi Lalitpur Padmoccha Mahavihara Lalitpur Rajashree Mahavihara Lalitpur Manimandap MahaviharaDhapaga Bahi Lalitpur Chandrasurya Mahavihara Lalitpur Jayashree Mahavihara Lalitpur Gustala MahaviharaGuita Tole Lalitpur Lokkirti MahaviharaKinu Bahi Lalitpur Thaveer Patra Mahavihara Lalitpur Kamukanama MahaviharaKhwayebahi Lalitpur Itiraja MahaviharaIlyaa Bahi Lalitpur Basuraja Mahavihara Lalitpur Indravarna MahaviharaInacho Bhaktapur Jetvarna Mahavihara Bhaktapur Manjuvarna MahaviharBekhal Tole Bhaktapur Nritya Mandala Mahavihara Portland, OR, USA2009
See also Buddhism in Nepal Newar Buddhism Kindo Baha Pranidhipurna Mahavihar Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal List of Buddhist stotras in Nepalbhasha List of monasteries in Nepal List of stupas in Nepal Bahal, Nepal
References
External links Official Website of Itumbaha (Keshchandra Paravarta Mahavihara) Ancient Buddhist Monasteries of Nepal Youtube channel with an ongoing collection of clips of monasteries