Kathmandu - Kwa Bahal

A hundred meters (328 ft) or so north of Thahiti Square lies the Kwa Bahal or Maitripura Mahavihara. In contrast to the Musya Bahal and Chusya Bahal, alterations and new building have destroyed its architectural unity. But Kwa Bahal is interesting for other reasons. One is that it has its own Kumari, chosen from among children of the Vajracharya family in accordance with the same criteria as the Royal Kumari. Unlike the Royal Kumari the Kwa Bahal Kumari is held to be the incarnation of a purely Buddhist deity, Vajradeva as opposed to Durga. The Kwa Bahal is also linked in legend with Vakvajra and the Kathesimbu Stupa (on the south side of Thahiti Square). Vakvraja is said to have mysteriously transported the stupa from Benares to Kathmandu before retreating to the Kwa Bahal to meditate. There he reputedly lives on in a room where his body has long since disintegrated. In order not to disturb his meditation, no one ever enters.