Ratnakirti Mahavihara : Makhan Baha
Geographical Location:
Ratnakirti Mahavihara is one among the eighteen principal Mahaviharas of Kathmandu. Both Barechuyagu and Acaluyagu initiations for the sons of the Sangha members are performed in this Vihara. It is situated at Ward No. 25, just besides the Makhan Tol (tol=block) Road in Kathmandu. The Mahavihara, according to the traditional division, lies in Dathupuin or the central quarter running from Asan Tol to the lion gate in Makhan Tol. Because the Mahavihara is constructed at Makhan Tol it is more popular among the local inhabitants by the name Makhan Baha.
Historical Background:
The early history of Ratnakirti Mahavihara is also not clear. An oral tradition as mentioned in Key to Vihas founded by Santikaracarya. Thus, it was believed that the Vajracharyas of Makhan Baha reserved their right of performing rituals at Shantipur in Swayambhu. There is no historical evidence to prove the fact. Probably, this system had developed since 694 N. S. (1574 A.D.) by one Vajracharya Daka Simha (Jaka Simha) who performed the consecration ceremonies at Swayambhu in the capacity of the priest. He might have reserved the right of performing the rituals of the shrine in Shantipur once a month and enter at other times as per necessity at times of drought. These rituals are performed according to the sacred text called Nagasadhana which they possessed hereditarily. It was, therefore, suggested that this Mahavihara might have been named after Ratna Malla. Howsoever the Sanskrit name is referred in the inscription dated 819 N.S. (1699 A.D.).
Makhan Baha at a Glance:
Makhan Baha is stretched in an enclosed courtyard lying off the Makhan road. The main shrine of the Vihara has an image of Akshobhya facing. The entrance gate of the shrine has a pair of lions. An archway is also set into it with oil lamps. The main shrine of the ground floor has carved doorways with Sariputra and Maudggalyana at each side of it. Above the ground floor there are five windows attached with a small window at both the sides. it is decorated with the images of Buddhas and Avalokitesvaras. The second storey has an overhanging balcony with open windows. The top storey looks like a flat of an ordinary house. There is a pinnacle at the top of it.
There are two rows of caityas each of four caityas and two in the middle. Except the lions of the courtyard dated 792 N.S. (1672 A.D.), other caitys are not of antiquity.
Sanha Organization:
The Sangha of Makhan Baha consists both the Shakyas and the Vajracharyas. They stated as the descendents of a Vajracharya called Rupa Simha who came to stay in with his wife Nila Laxmi’s parents’ house at Makhan Baha. Probably his son Jaka Simha (Daka Simha) made a rule of nominating the eldest son as the priest of Shantipur. The Shakyas of Makhan Baga are believed to be an off shoot of Vajracharyas. They are few in number. There are in other Viharas the Vihara rituals are performed by the members in seniority wise through the households for one month. Their linage deity is Vajrayogin of Sankhu. The Mahavihara Vihara Rituals:
Ratnakirti Mahaviharas has several rituals for the performation. The daily rituals are performed in the morning and the evening. They used to organize the annual festival on Magh Sukla Ekadasi (Eleventh day of the bright half of the month Magh) but the practice is now lost. They perform pujas at various Shaktipithas including the Kal Bhairay, Akasha Bhairawa and the Shantipur.
They arrange a feast every year where the members of Guthi prepare eight four malicious items of foods to feeds to fees the members of the Sangha.
Hemavarna Mahavihara: (Gam Baha)
Geographical Location:
Hemavarna Mahavihara is one among the eighteen Mahaviharas of Kathmandu where Barechuyagu and Acaluyagu initations for the sons of the Sangha members are performed. It is situated at Ward No, 28 in Kathmandu. A lane opposite Naghal Mihara leads to this Mahavihara. According to the traditional division of the city for organizational and other purposes of the Acarya Guthi, the Mahavihara is classified under Tahu puin (the Upper Quarter) running from the Northern limits the old Malla city at Maitripura Mahavihara to Asan. Thus, it becomes a part of Kathmandu traditionally known as Suvarnapranali Mahanagara, a name derived from the Golden fountain lying near the walls of the old city.
Historical Background:
The early history of Hemavarna Mahavihara is not clear. A document in the possession of the Sangha members and published first by late Chittadhar Hridaya a reknowned Newar Buddhist scholar of Kathmandu, dated 327 N.S. (1207 A.D.) has the mention of two names i.e. Ratna Deva Vajracharya and Patra Brahma Thakur as two donors who consecrated the Baha and the land to be used as a garden. The mail deity, the Agan deity and a Caity, were stated to have been consecrated in the same year. As the amage of Akshobhya, the main deity of the Mahavihara, was made of the clay called Gamthi, the Mahavihara came to known by the name Gamthi Vihara. Later on, the word Gamthi was shortly pronounced as Gam and the Vihara as Baha which is still popular as Gam Baha.
Gam Baha at a Glance:
Gam Baha is stretched into a courtyard. There is a Caitya at the middle of the courtyard. It dates 1012 N.S. (1892 A.D.). In front of the Kwapadya there is a Dramadhatu Caitya dated 1040 N.S. (1920 A.D.). At the right, of the center Caitya, there is another Dharmadhatu Caitya dated 1090 N.S. (1970 A.D.). The main shrine, as stated above, has the image of Akshobhya on the ground floor. But, the temple seems simply a plain structure of three storeys made of bricks. A toran depicted with an image of Namasangiti (wooden) is attached above the gate of the temple. It dates 1008 N.S. (1888 A.D.). The temple has roof.
A golden banner was donated to the Caitya in 796 N.S. (1676 A.D.). Twenty five years after the said donation, the image of Akshobhya seemed to have been repaired. The document of 327 N.S. (1207 A.D) mentioned above produces the names of two Vajracharyas i.e. Amratpara and Amritendra Vajracharya as those Vajracharyas who received in gift the Vihara and the land for the garden.
Sangha Organization:
The Sangha of Hemavarna Mahavihara is not crowdy. The initiated male members of the Sangha run the rituals of the Vihara in turn. The term of service lasts for one month. During the period the roaster acting as the Dyopala (Priest cum care taker) perfoms regular rituals in the morning and the evening. The linage deity of the Sangha is Yoagambara. The five elders govern the Sangha.
The historicity of the Sangha members cannot be traced. The members claim themselves as inheritance of the two recipients who received the Baha in gift. It is believed that they had come from Dhwaka Baha. Probably, it was this reason why the members of this Baha forbid to establish matrimonial relationship with Dhwaka Baha.
Vihara Activities:
The Vihara has no source of income. It is said that it used to have an income of thirteen muris of paddy until some years back. In the loss of the Guthi lands the Vihara activities are concentrated on some unavoidable rituals. However, they observe the annual festivity on every eight day of the bright half of month Jestha.
