Kathmandu - Itum Bahal

Itum Bahal or Keshavacandra Mahavihara is one of the oldest of Kathmandu's Buddhist monasteries, founded in the 11th c. or even earlier. The torana above the entrance dates from the 16th c. The superb wood-carvings illustrate the temptation of Buddha. Demons and Mara's seductive daughter strive to distract him from his meditation but he resists, invoking the Earth as his witness by touching it with his right hand. Although in poor condition the original structure of the monastery has been preserved. The two-storied buildings have the usual open ground floor, above which are windows with elaborately carved frames. Facing the entrance stands a shrine with two metal lions. Oil lamps hang in an arc above the steps. Note especially the four-headed, six-armed Tantric deity on the torana over the entrance to the shrine.

In the middle of the courtyard are another shrine and a stupa encircled by four standing Buddhas.