RudraVarna Mahavihar - Wokubahal

Om kuli Rudra Varna Mahavihar is one of the most beautiful monastery of Patan located in Wokubahal. Five hundred meter south east from Patan Durbar Square.

The Vihar was built by Lichhavi King Shiva Dev in 6th century A.D. Thus, the vihar is named Shiva Deva Sanskarita. The king became Buddhist monk in this Vihar and after some days as per his teacher’s guidance he lived as a house hold monk and spent each day in mediataion befre the Image of the Buddha he had installed in the main shrine of Vihar. His sons and grandsons carried on the tradition. 400 years later, this Vihar was renovated by King Rudra Deva. Since then the name of this Vihar became Shiva Deva Sanskarita Shree Rudra Varna Mahavihar. King Rudra Deva also became a Buddhist monk for four days and passed whole life in this Vihar as Buddhist King. Except this Vihar there are no other archaeological remains has been found in name of Shiva Deva Vihar which had 15 gold plated Chaityas kept in the rooftop as pinnacles.

The streets entrance to the Cihar complex is a gate with two large stone lions holding spear by both hands welcoming the visitors and half moon symbol is raised between the lions. Symbolically the moon stands for name “Chandra” the spear indicates “Sama” and the lions indicates “Sher”. Hence, the name of “Chandra Sham Sher” is symbolized in the gate. This gate was built buy Dhirji Narsing Shakya Bans at the time of ruling period of King Prithivi Bir Bikram Shaha Dev and Rana Prime Minister Chandra Samser.

Passing through the gate way we reach the first compound of Vihar called “Ubaha Gathicha”. In this compound there are three deities, they are Shakyamuni Buddha, a Chaitya and Lokeswar. This compound was used as visitors place & Judiciary court at the time of ruling period of King Rudra Dev. At the entrance to the main compound, there are two large stone lions resting on the elephant and then in turn rests on a turtle. The lion is surmounted by Hari Bahan Lokeswara. Hence four fold Hari signifies a Lion, a snake, a Garuda, Vishnu and Lokeswar.

Passing through the entry way there is the main shrine of the Vihar complex and court yard. The 3 storied main shrine is facing north. The top roof is surmounted by a row of 15 gold plated Chaityas at the center of the Shrine in ground floor, there is a large image of Red faced Kwapadhya the Shakyamuni Buddha adorned with various ornaments. There is also a small Kwapadhya below the Big Kwapadhya who is Rahul Bhadra, the son of Shakyamuni Buddha. There are various deities inside the Kwapadhya room. Among them Phoodhta Aaju(Dipankar Buddha) bears a special tradition. It is known that after renovation the Vihar King Rudra Dev became Buddhist Monk in the Sangha and dedicated his whole life in this Vihar. According to Nepalese Buddhist Culture if some devotees invited him (King Rudra Dev) in the ceremony of Samya Daan, Narran Daan, Pancha Daan; the king being a monk must participate in the ceremony and receive alms (Daan). Therefore the King made the image of Dipankar Buddha (Phoodhya) to participate in the ceremony as his representation. The king used Dipankar Buddha at the end of the ceremony that is why he Dipankar Buddha is called as ‘Phoodhya’. After worshiping and giving alms to Dipankar Buddha the Daan ceremony ends. The custom can still be observed in Patan city every year in Pancha daan festival occurring in the month of August. The ceremony will not conclude until the Dipankar Buddha comes to receives Daan. The door of the main Shrine is decorated with gold plated repousee metal sheets with floral design and molded images of Sariputra, Maudagallyan, Vinaraj, Dhonjaraj, Ganga-Jamuna, Naag Kanyaa, Mallah (Dragon), Chandra ( The Moon) and Surya ( The Sun ). The walls are decorated with amazingly beautiful images of Manjushree Boddhisattva, Padmapani Lokeshwar, Samantabhadra Boddhisattva, Bajrapani Lokeshwara, Ratnapani Lokeshwara, Viswapani Lokeshwara and King Sudhodhan & Queen Maya Devi the father and mother of Lord Buddha.

The courtyard of Vihar is filled with large collection of metal casted figures, Chaityas, Dharmandhatu, Mandala, BajaraDhatu Mandala, stone pillars, praying wheels singing bells etc. there is a Ashoka Chaitya in front of the main door way to Kwapadhya. It is believed that King Ashok had built a stone tap, a wooden shelter, and a Chaitya in the this locality before the Shiva Dev Vihar existed. Still the Chaitya and tone tap is preserved but pople of this locality. The Chaitya and roof of theChaitya and roof of the Ashoka Chaitya are covered with gold plated metal sheet. It has small praying wheels around it. The images of Lion, Elephant, Peacock, Horse and Garuda are installed in both sides of the main shrine as the vehicle symbols of Pancha Buddha. The four divine creatures namely Singha (Lion), Shardula (Flying Horse), Airavata (Elephant) and Garudha are the prominent helper of the Padmakar Buddha. They are also regarded as Bodhisattavas. Thus their images are installed in the Vihar. Some historians describe the standing image is of Rana prime minister, which is symbolic art of local artists. The image holds the name inscribed in the belt of image as Shree Tinn Ajambar Maharaj, but this statue is not concerned with this Vihar. His right hand holds a metal sheet in which Aparmita Dharni (holy script) is inscribed. In the four corner of the Court yard the four gold plated Bidhisattvas are installed since 2006 A.D.

In the Northern side if the Vihar, both sides of the Tunal has a Series of Wodden Struts of Salabansika Yakchhanis which are one of the most excellent wooden art samples of 12th century. The ground floor had store rooms and wooden shelter. The upper storey had balcony attached Nasandigi (God of different musical instrument & holy script) as Agam room. At the western wing there is a shrine of Amogpas Lokeswar (Dharmagara Gumba). In the East-North side of the Court yard there is a Mandala of Bronze metal which each of the local boy child of this Vihar Sangha has to become monk by cutting their hair. Until & unless the boy child doesn’t take part in hair cutting ceremony to become monk for four days, they are not considered as the member of Sangh.