Kathmandu - Matsyendranath Mandir

Between Indra Chowk and Asan Tol a column on which two statues of Buddha sit back to back marks the entrance to the Jana Bahal, abode of the White (Shveta) Matsyendranath. Near the column a mandala (magic diagram) has been worked into the pavement. The shrine was set up by Gunakama Deva, thereby bringing the cult of Matsyendranath to Kathmandu from Patan, though in a slightly altered form. The White Matsyendranath is an aspect of Padmapani Lokeshvara. His shrine was originally in Jamal but was moved to the Jana Bahal in the 15th c. at the time of Yaksha Malla. The bahal was restored in the 17th c.