Patan - Bhimche Bahal

The Bhimche Bahal or Mayuravarna Mahavihara is located a minute or two's walk north-east from the Sundhara (Golden Fountain). The monastery is said to have been founded by a monk who stayed true to his Buddhist faith at a time when Hinduism was fast displacing it. Fleeing persecution he took refuge south of the Bagmati, building the bahal on a spot to which a peacock led him.

A Chinese moon gate gives access to the monastery on the north side, the entrance to the courtyard being south of the gate near a fountain and a small shrine to Ganesh. The heart of the spacious, well-maintained complex is a three-tiered pagoda, built in 1939, containing a religious symbol of Aksobhya. Beyond the temple are two smaller shrines, the more northerly housing a figure of Hanuman, the other statues of Mahakal and Manjushri. There are in addition a number of votive stupas. Two sculptures are particularly noteworthy: a statue of a standing Buddha, with unmistakable Gupta-style features, making the visv vyakarana mudra; and a 7th or 8th c. figure of Padmapani Lokeshvara with Amitabha portrayed in his crown. Beside him stand the Arya Tara and the Bhrkuti Tara. Although unfortunately very worn, the image adds weight to the view that the bahal was founded in Licchavi times.