Patan - Guita Bahal

The Guita Bahal, a second major monastery in this part of east Patan, actually consists of three monastery courtyards linked together. Of the three the north-west court is certainly the oldest, but little remains of it except in legend. Guita means "nine roofs" so it was probably once the site of a splendid nine-roofed temple. The earliest inscription in the monastery, seen on the large stupa outside the court, dates from the 11th c.

When, long ago, Buddha visited Patan, he was greeted by a poor elderly widow bearing a meager gift for which she had scrimped and saved. The king in contrast brought sumptuous presents and was much taken aback when Buddha accepted the widow's offerings and ignored his. The message however was not lost on the king, who worked for many days as a smith, distributing his wages among the needy. Thereafter Buddha accepted his gifts and blessed him too. The thankful monarch built the Dipavati Stupa to commemorate these events. Now every year, on the day of Pancha Dana in the month of Gunla, sacrifices are brought in the old widow's name to Guita Tole where she lived. Her image is then displayed at a window on the upper floor of the bahal.