List of Mahaviharas of Newar Buddhism

Newar Buddhism is one of the branches of Buddhism. One of the major elements of this branch of Buddhism is Mahavihara (महाबिहार) or Baha or great monastery. These monasteries have served as centers of learning in Newar Buddhism. These monasteries generally are built as a courtyard surrounded by two storied buildings consisting of halls. Some of these monasteries have been founded as early as fifth to twelfth century Many of these mahaviharas are listed as historical monuments of Nepal. The following is a list of these mahaviharas -

Mahavihara (Pali)Nepal Bhasa nameLocationFoundedRemarks
Maitripura MahaviharaKwa Baha (Kwatha Baha)Kathmandu ThamelBuilt by Bakbajra who brought Kashisoyambhu (Shreegha Vihar) from Kashi
Henakara MahaviharaDhwaka BahaKathmandu7th century Damaged in earthquake of 1934
Hemvarna MahaviharaGan BahaKathmandu
Ratnaketu Mahavihara Nhu Baha Kathmandu
Ratnachaitya MahaviharaJhwa BahaKathmandu
Gunakar MahaviharaChusya BahaKathmandu
Suratshree MahaviharaTakshe BahaKathmandu
Kanakachaitya MahaviharaJana BahaKathmanduAnnual festival held
Keshchandra Paravarta MahaviharaItum BahaKathmandu1381Known for Keshchandra and Gurumapa (Official Website)
Ratnakirti MahaviharaMakhan BahaKathmandu
Mulashree MahaviharaMu bahaKathmandu
Mantrasiddhi MahaviharaSawal BahaKathmandu
Rajakirti MahaviharaTe BahaSouth of New Road, Kathmandu5th century AD
Shreekhanda MahaviharaShikhamu BahaKathmandu
Brahmachakra MahaviharaOm BahaKathmandu
Bajrasheel MahaviharaIku BahaKathmandu
Munisangha MahaviharaMikha BahaKathmandu
Kirtipunya MahaviharaLagan BahaKathmandu
Kirtipunya Mahavihara Kohiti Kathmandu
Manisingha MahaviharaMusun Baha (Inner)Kathmandu
Manisangha MahaviharaMusun Baha (Outer)Kathmandu
Vikramashila MahaviharaBhagwan BahaThanbahil, KathmanduVisited by Pandita Atisha Shrijana of Nalanda in 1041, houses Saharsha Prajnaparamita dated 1223 AD
Hiranya Varna MahaviharKwa BahaLalitpur12th century by Bhaskara Deva Verma Houses Prajnaparamita dated B.S.1282 (A.D. 1226-1227)
Rudravarna MahaviharaUku BahaLalitpur6th century CE by Shiva Deva
Ratnakar MahaviharaHa BahalLalitpur
Yasodhar MahaviharaBu BahalLalitpur
Jyesthavarna MahaviharaTanga Baha (Chaku Baha)LalitpurContains an inscription dated N.S. 245 (1125 A.D.)
Dharmakirti MahaviharaTa BahaLalitpur
Dattanama MahaviharaDau BahaLalitpur
Yempi MahaviharaI BahaLalitpur
Gunalakshmi MahaviharaDhum BahaLalitpur
Chakravarna MahaviharaCuka BahaLalitpurFounded by Manadeva I
Bajrakirti MahaviharaWam BahaLalitpurInscription dates back to N.S.561 (1441A.D)
Rudradeva MahaviharaLalitpur
Vaishra Varna MahaviharaGuji BahaLalitpurHoused a manuscript dated N.S. 373 (1253 A.D.)
Mayuravarna MahaviharaBhinche BahaLalitpur
Jayamanohara MahaviharaSu BahaLalitpur
Sri Vaccha MahaviharaSi BahaLalitpurHouses a Pancharaksa manuscript dated N.S. 509 (1389 A.D)
Baladhar MahaviharaLalitpur
Akshyashwara MahaviharaThuthu BahiLalitpur
Raksheshwara MahaviharaKothu BahiLalitpur
Lokkirti MahaviharaNa(Naka) BahiLalitpur
Napichandra MahaviharaDuntu BahiLalitpur
Gopichandra MahaviharaPintu BahiLalitpur
Lalitchandra MahaviharaLalitpur
Saptapur MahaviharaChika BahiLalitpur
Padmoccha MahaviharaLalitpur
Rajashree MahaviharaLalitpur
Manimandap MahaviharaDhapaga BahiLalitpur
Chandrasurya MahaviharaLalitpur
Jayashree MahaviharaLalitpur
Gustala MahaviharaGuita ToleLalitpur
Lokkirti MahaviharaKinu BahiLalitpur
Thaveer Patra MahaviharaLalitpur
Kamukanama MahaviharaKhwayebahiLalitpur
Itiraja MahaviharaIlyaa BahiLalitpur
Basuraja MahaviharaLalitpur
Indravarna MahaviharaInachoBhaktapur
Jetvarna MahaviharaBhaktapur
Manjuvarna MahaviharBekhal ToleBhaktapur
Nritya Mandala MahaviharaPortland, OR, USA2009
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