Suwarnapur

The ancient city of Suwarnapur and Heritages

Namaskar,

Welcome to Suwarnapur!

Dating back to the Lichhavi period, the word ‘Suwarnapur’ directly translates to ‘a place with a splendidly formed landscape’ in Nepali language. There is no exact date and history about the name Suwarnapur but there are certainly some myths and stories. The only mention and proof about the existence of the place ‘Suwarnapur’ lies in the ‘Charumati Bihar or Bahal’ also called as ‘Raj Bihar’ or royal bihar. The inscription mentions the ‘Charumati Bihar or Bahal’ as Suwarnapur Bihar. Since it is referred to by a different name in the inscription, it sparked curiosity for new mysterious stories among local archeologists and historians. Currently, the research and experts have concluded that the area of Suwarnapur spread within the four forts of Kalopul Dhobhikhola passing through Dhobikhola in the west, Kumarigal in the east, Chakrapath (Ring Road) in the north, and Sifalchaur in the south within the geographical area of ​​Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No. 7.

Chabahil Ganesh Mandir

Naming of the Temple:

Earlier, King Chandra Dev used to rule in the Suwarnapur area. During his reign, he was attacked by his enemies and captured many territories. At that time, the king saw in his dreams that he needed to begin worshiping the “Hastamukhi Ganesh” at the foot of the Kalpavriksha to win over his enemies. It is believed that after the worship of Ganesha, all his territories have been returned. This temple is known as Chandra Vinayak Temple as King Chandra Dev started worshipping here.

Specialty of the Temple:

The specialty of this temple, the Chhuchundra (mouse) is considered to be the vehicle of Lord Ganesha, and Lord Ganesha is always seated on top of the Chhuchundra. But in this temple, Lord Ganesha’s stone idol is sitting on the Naag (snake), and the trunk of this one-tusked Ganesha idol is turned towards the right side. One gets to hear a lot of beliefs that after worshipping at the Ganesh temple here skin related diseases get cured if things in your house are lost, there have been findings of things after remembering this Ganesh temple.

This temple is also known as Chaitya Vinayak. The reason this temple is called Chaitya Vinayak is because there is a chaitya at the top of this temple. In the local language, this temple is also called “Lhonsa Ganedhya.” Lho: means stone and Sa  means pulling, that is why it is called “Lhonsa Ganedhya.” According to legend, this idol is said to have been brought from Hadigaon.

Dhando Chaitya:

Famous all over the country and abroad, Charumati Chaitya is also called “Dhando Chaitya” in the Newari language. Although no story is known for its naming, it is associated with Emperor Ashoka’s daughter Charumati. It is believed that this chaitya was built after the Charumati Bihar located near the chaitya. ‘Dhando Chaitya’ is also known as ‘Chabahil Chaitya’ which was built after the construction of the World Peace Stupa of Lumbini. Charumati Chaitya is said to be older than the 2200-year-old Boudhanath Stupa. 

The inscription found in this chaitya, which is written in the Kutila script and used during the Lichchhivi period, proves that the first authenticated “Bhikshuni Mahasangh” (Female  Monks Association) of Nepal is located here in the chaitya. Although this Chaitya is about 2200 years old, the sculptures here are even older than that, which reflects antiquity. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Tibetans, Buddhists, and Newarists.

Charumati Bihar

Situated a little inside from the main road, on the way from Chabahil Chowk towards  Charumati Stupa, lies the Charumati Bihar which dates back to nearly 2300 years! It has different names according to different times and different cultures. In the local language, it is called Charumati Bihar. However, in the Newari language, it is “Cha-bahi”. According to the name given by Amshuverma, it was called asv”Amshuverma Mahabihar” and according to the name given by Raj Khalak, it is also called as “Raj Vihar.” Since this Bihar is located in the upper part between the two bihars of this area, it is called  Thathubahi (Upper Bahi:) in the Newari language, and the other Bihar is Gaganganj Mahabihar which lies in the lower part is called Kothubahi (Lower Bahi:). This temple is one of the most famous temples in the valley. 

History:

The inscription found during the renovation of the sanctum sanctorum of this Bihar dates back to the period of King Manadeva (viz. The s. 557) According to the phrase mentioned by the donor woman Manodhara in the inscription, this Bihar was already in existence and monks were found here. According to the language genealogies, this Bihar was built 2300 years ago by Charumati (Charuvati), daughter of the great Mauryan emperor Ashoka, and her husband, the Sakya Maharaja Devapala, the Chakravartin of Jambudeepa  (Bharatvarsha). It was through the inscription that the construction of this Bihar started and finished on the same particular day (tithi).

Myths:

It is believed that the practice of making your daughters Kumari (living goddesses) was started in this Bihar. It is also said that if the Kumari of the Kumari Temple in Basantpur died, the Kumari of Charumati Vihar used to be taken there to be worshipped. Since this Bihar was built by the Royal Family, there is also a belief that the Kumari should be taken from this Bihar only.

Gaganganj Mahabihar:

Gaganganj Mahabihar is one of the 16 bihars within the Kathmandu Valley. This bihar is also known as Kutubahal. Seven members of a clan have the responsibility to take care of this monastery. Gaganganj Mahabihar is called Kothubahi (lower stream) as this bihar is located in the lower part between the two bihar of the region. It is said by the locals that this place was also named ‘Kutubahal’ after the name of this bihar.

History:

Although there is no concrete evidence as to when this bihar was built, the chaitya of the Licchavi period in front of the vihara indicates that the bihar was built during the Licchavi period. About 300 years ago, there was a lot of damage to the bihar due to fire on this bihar. Various small idols in this temple were also stolen.

It is said that an attempt was made to steal the original idol, but it was not successful.

Shiva Panchanyan Mandir

Situated in ward no. 7 Chabahil, Shiva Panchayan Mandir holds a significant faith among the locals in this place. The locals decided to establish a temple so that this place could be properly used for good purposes. Thus, on 24 Baisakh, 2069, the locals established the Shiva Panchayan Temple.

There is no story as to why this temple was named Shiva Panchayana, but for any temple to be a Panchayanan temple, five gods had to be established in the inner sanctum. The temple is called the Shiva Panchayan as it enshrines the idols of Lord Shiva as the main deity and four other deities.

Bhandareshwor Mandir

Bhandareshwor Temple, which lies in the Suwarnapur region, is famous for its single-faced Mahadev statue. Single-faced Mahadev is rarely found in the whole world. Since it is a storehouse of food,  this temple is called Bhandareshwar (Bhandar means storehouse). According to local belief, this Bhandareshwar temple is older than the Pashupatinath temple and it is said that it is also mentioned in the Himavat Khanda of Shiva Purana. The materials required for worshiping in the Pashupatinath temple come from the Bhandareshwor temple itself. The worship ritual in Pashupatinath Temple does not start until the required worship material is received from here. According to the religious texts and pandits, native Pandits who worship at Pashupatinath are only allowed to enter Pashupatinath by taking an oath at the Bhandareshwor Temple.

BAGALAMUKHI MATA MANDIR

The construction of the Shri Baglamukhi Mata Temple in Chabahil Ward 7,  Maijubahal, started with the campaign to build a square to protect water resources. Built in the pagoda style, this magnificent temple has been established with idols of various gods and goddesses, including Jagat Janani Bagalamukhi Mata.

This place, which was previously “Dhungedhara” (stone tap), was converted into a well after some time. After the well dried up and the land became barren with no one to take care of it. The temple was established to maintain its sanctity and to make it easy to visit Bagalamukhi.

The temple has been incorporated as a religious core by installing many idols of deities and Buddha, which are considered as per Hindu and Buddhist traditions. To preserve the historical traditions and culture Chariot was started from 2072 B.S..  According to local legend, there was an ancient stone at the top of the  Dhungedhara, but it is now lost and has not yet been found.

Rudreshwor Mandir

In the earlier days, the statue was like a mound of clay that looked like stone. The people worshiped the stone due to their pure devotion. Earlier ancestors had said that this idol belonged to Mahadev and was a place of worship for our faith. After some time, all the people of the community decided that this idol should be installed in the temple and the temple was built by donating whatever they could. Inside the temple, there is Inar (well) right now but earlier there was an open water source. In Rudreshwor temple,  there was a tradition of worshipping the idol by bringing water from that source of water.

Since Mahadev had a different form, the residents were curious about which form to worship. According to Hindu scriptures, Pashupati Mahadev shed tears while going to Budhanilkantha and from those tears, the Rudra avatar of Shiva was born. With that belief and story that was relevant to that area, the temple was named “Raudreshwor.”  The temple was named “Rudreshwor” from “Raudreshwor.”

Lampokhari:

Lampokhari is also known as ‘Jambuk Kunda’. Jambuk is known as the king of the foxes. The Jatra is celebrated by worshipping the idol of Jambuk Raja (King). After doing all the worship rituals in Gagangunj Vihar which is near the Lampokhari, Jambuk Raja situated in Pingala Bihar is prepared beautifully for the Jatra. Wiping the rice and therefore covering it on the Jambuk Raja, worshipping him by preparing him beautifully and lighting the Dhuni in front of the king of Jambuk. Jambuk Kunda is said to be the bathing place of Jambuk Raja. 

In earlier times, traders used to come here from Tibet via Sankhu and stay here and the fox used to guard them. That is why that place is also called  “Dhosal.” “Dho” means fox and “Sal” means a place to stay. People from different places come here to worship and celebrate.