Welcome to Rudravarna Mahabihar
A Brief History of Rudravarna Mahabihar
Om Kuli Shree Rudra Varna Mahabihar is one of the most beautiful Bihar of Patan. It is located in Lalitpur Metropolitan City Ward No. 6, Okubahal, Patan which is in the South East direction & is about five hundred meter distance from Patan Durbar Square. This Bihara is located nearby world famous MAHABAUDDHA Terraccota Temple which is known as nine thousand Buddha temple.
The Bihar was built by Lichhavi King Shiva Deva in 6th century A.D. Thus, the Bihara is named Shiva Deva Sanskarita. The king became Buddhist monk in this Bihara and after some days as per his teacher’s guidance he lived as a house hold monk and spent good part of each day in meditation before the Image of the Buddha he had installed in the main shrine of Bihar. His sons and grandsons carried on the tradition. 400 years later, this Bihara was renovated by King Rudra Deva.
Since then the name of this Bihara became “Shiva Deva Sanskarita Shree Rudra Varna Mahabihara” King Rudra Deva who renovated this bihar also became a Buddhist monk for four days and passed whole life in this bihar as Buddhist King. Except this bihar there are no other archaeological remains has been found in the name of Shiva Deva bihar which had 15 gold plated Chaityas kept in the rooftop as pinnacles.
Structure of Rudravarna Mahabihar
The street entrance to the bihara complex is a gate with two large stone lions welcoming the visitors. This gate was built by Dhrj Narshing Shakya Bansa (Gwara Company) at the time of ruling period of King Prithavi Bir Bikram Shaha Deva and Rana Prime Minister Chandra Samser. The gate was plastered and surmounted by two lions holding spear by both hands and half moon symbol is raised in between the lions. Symbolically the moon stands for name “Chandra” the spear indicates “Sama” and the lion indicates “Shera”. In this way the name of “Chandra Sham Shera” is symbolized in the gate.
Passing through the gate way one can reach the first compound of the bihar called “Ubaha Gathicha”. In this compound there are three deities, they are Shakyamuni Buddha, a Chaitya and Lokeswara. This compound was used as visitors place & Judiciary court at the time of ruling period of King Rudra Deva.
At the entrance to the main compound, there are two large stone lions resting on the elephant and then in turn rests on a Turtle The linn is surmounted by Har Hari Hari Hari Bahan Lokeswara Hari is the name of Vishnu Hence four fold Hari signifies a Lion, a snake, a Garuda, Vishnu and Lokeshwara
Passing through the entry way there is the main shrine of the Bihar complex and court yard The 3 storied main shrine is facing north. The top roof is surmounted by a row of 15 gold plated Chaityas at the center of the Shrine in ground floor, there is a large image of Red faced ‘Kwapadliya the Shakyamuni Buddha adarned with various ornaments. There is also a smail Kapadhya below the Big Kapadhya who is Rahul Bhadra, the son of Shakyamuni Buddha. There are various deities inside the Karapadhya room.
Pancha Dana Festival (Phoodhya)
Among the many deities inside the Karapadhya room, Phoodhya Aaju (Deepankar Buddha) bears a special tradition. It is known that after renovating the Bihar King Rudra Deva became Buddhist Monk in the Sangha and dedicated his whole life in this Bihar. According to Nepalese Buddhist Culture if some devotees invited him (King Rudra Deva) in the ceremony of Samyak Dana, Narran Dana, Pancha Dana, the king being a monk must participate in the ceremony and receive alma (Dana). Therefore the King made the image of Deepankar Buddha (Phoodhya) to participate in the ceremony as his representation.
The king used to send Deepankar Buddha at the end of the ceremony that is why the Deepankar Buddha is called as Phoodhya. After worshiping and giving alme to Deepankar Buddha the Dana (alma) ceremony concludes. The custom can still be observed in Patan city every year in Pancha dana festival occurring in the month of August. The ceremony will not conclude until the Deepankar Buddha comes to receives. Dans (alma).
Symbolic Representation
The images of Lion, Elephant, Pracuck, Horse and Garuda are installed in both sides of the main shrine as the vehicle symbols of Pancha Buddha: The four divine creatures namely Singha dion), Shardula (flying horse), Airavats (elephant) and Garudha are the prominent helper of the Padmakar Buddha. They are also regarded as Bodhisattvas Thus their images are installed in this Bihara Some historians describe the standing image is of Rana prime miniates, which is symbolic art of local artists. The image holds the name inscribed in the belt of image as “Shree 3 Ajambara Maharaja” But this statue is not concerned with this Bihara. His right hand holds a metal sheet in which Aparmita Dharni (holy scrips) is inscribed
Tago Chiva
Taga chiva is a very beautiful stupa located behind the Rudra Varna Mahabihara. It is taken as a true example of stone craft of Patan city. At the very spot there was a Dharmadhatu which was in a ruined condition keeping the old & regious Chaitya underneath. The Stupa was built in 1685 A.D. under the supervision of Pandit Jayamuni Shakya the great grandson of Pandit Avaya Raj Shakya. The Dharmadhatu in front of Chaitya adds beauty and holiness to the spot. A pit with Basuki Nang in north side of the Stupa (Chaitya) is worshiped for rain fall in dry season.
The completion ceremony was organized in the presence of the king Yog Narendra Malla The Danapati (devotee) of this locality Shree Ratna Muni Shakya Bansa arranged the alma (Samyak Dana) in 1687 A.D. In this ceremony King of Kathmandu Bhupatendra Malla and King of Lalitpur Yog Narendra Malla were also present. The symbolic of presence of two kings in one ceremony is still can observe in back side of the Chaitya.
Find Stories of Bahals of Nepal here …
Reference
Kaji Ratna Shakya (Chairman)
Rudravarna Mahabihar Conservation Committee
रुद्रवर्ण महाविहार
संक्षिप्त इतिहास
ओमकुली श्री रुद्र वर्ण महाविहार पाटनको सबैभन्दा सुन्दर विहार मध्ये एक हो। यो ललितपुर महानगरपालिका वडा नम्बर ६, ओकुबहाल, पाटनमा अवस्थित छ जुन दक्षिण पूर्व दिशामा रहेको पाटन दरबार स्क्वायरबाट करिब पाँच सय मिटरको दुरीमा छ। यो विहार विश्व प्रसिद्ध महाबौद्ध टेराकोटा मन्दिर नजिकै अवस्थित छ जसलाई नौ हजार बुद्ध मन्दिर भनिन्छ।
छैठौं शताब्दीका लिच्छवी राजा शिव देवले यस विहारको निर्माण गराएको हुनाले यस विहारको नाम शिवदेव संस्कारीत राखिएको हो। राजा यस विहारमा बौद्ध भिक्षुको निर्देशन अनुसार गृहस्थ भिक्षुको रूपमा बसे र विहारको मुख्य मन्दिरमा आफूले स्थापित गरेको बुद्धको छविको अगाडि ध्यानमा प्रत्येक दिन राम्रो समय बिताए। उनका छोराछोरी र नातिनातिनाहरूले परम्परालाई निरन्तरता दिए। ४०० वर्षपछि राजा रुद्रदेवले यस विहारको जीर्णोद्धार गरेका थिए । त्यसबेलादेखि यस विहारको नाम “शिवदेव संस्कारीत श्री रुद्र वर्ण महाविहार” भयो । यस विहारको जीर्णोद्धार गर्ने राजा रुद्रदेव यसै विहारमा चुडाकर्म गरी भिक्षु भइ बुद्ध धर्ममा दिक्षित भइ सम्पूर्ण जीवन बिताए । शिवदेवको नाममा २० वटा सुनौलो चैत्य पनि स्थापना गरिएको छ ।
रुद्रवर्ण महाविहारको संरचना
विहार कम्प्लेक्सको प्रवेशद्वार दुईवटा ठूला ढुङ्गाका सिंहहरूले आगन्तुकहरूलाई स्वागत गर्ने गेट हो। राजा पृथ्वीवीर विक्रम शाहदेव र राणा प्रधानमन्त्री चन्द्र शमशेरको शासनकालमा धृज नरसिंह शाक्यवंश (ग्वारा कम्पनी)ले यो ढोका बनाएका थिए । गेटलाई प्लास्टर गरिएको थियो र दुवै हातमा भाला लिएका दुई सिंहहरूद्वारा चढाइएको थियो र सिंहको बीचमा आधा चन्द्र चिन्ह उठाइएको छ। प्रतीकात्मक रूपमा चन्द्रमाको नाम ‘चन्द्र’ हो, भालाले ‘शम’ र सिंहले ‘शेर’ जनाउँछ। यसरी द्वारमा ‘चन्द्रशम शेर’ नामको प्रतीक चिन्ह लगाइएको छ ।
गेटको बाटो हुँदै विहारको पहिलो परिसरमा पुग्न सकिन्छ जसलाई ‘उबहा गथिचा’ भनिन्छ। यस परिसरमा तीन देवताहरू छन्, ती हुन् शाक्यमुनि बुद्ध, एक चैत्य र एक लोकेश्वर। यो परिसरलाई राजा रुद्रदेवले आफ्ना प्रजाहरुलाई भेटघाट गर्न तथा न्याय दिलाउने रुपमा प्रयोग गरिएको थियो ।
मुख्य पेरिसरको प्रवेश द्वारमा कछुवा, त्यसमाथि हात्ती, त्यसमाथि सिंह, त्यसमाथि हरी हरी वहाँन लोकेश्वोर प्रतिस्थित गरिएको छ । त्यसको मतलव बौद्ध विहार प्रवेस आगाडी मैत्री , बोधी चित्त ,र करुणा भाव हुनुपर्छ ।
प्रवेश मार्गबाट भित्र विहार कम्प्लेक्सको मुख्य मन्दिर तीन तले मुख्य मन्दिर उत्तरतर्फ फर्किएको छ। भुइँ तल्लामा रहेको तीर्थस्थलको केन्द्रमा रहेको छानामा २० वटा सुनौलो चैत्यको पङ्क्तिले घेरिएको छ ।
पञ्ज दान पर्व
क्वपाद्यो: कोठा भित्र धेरै देवताहरु मध्ये, फुद्यो: आजु (दिपंकर बुद्ध) को एक विशेष परम्परा छ। विहारको जीर्णोद्धार गरेपछि राजा रुद्रदेव बौद्ध भिक्षु बने र आफ्नो सम्पूर्ण जीवन यही विहारमा समर्पित गरेको बताइन्छ । नेपाली बौद्ध संस्कृति अनुसार सम्यक दान, नराँ दान, पन्ज दानको समारोहमा भक्तजनहरुले दिपंकर बुद्धलाई (दान) गर्नुपर्छ । त्यसैले दीपांकर बुद्धलाई फुद्यो: भनिन्छ। दीपांकर बुद्धलाई पूजा अर्चना र दान दिएपछि दान समारोहको समापन हुन्छ। प्रत्येक वर्ष भदौ महिनामा हुने पन्जदान पर्वमा पाटन सहरमा आज पनि मनाउने चलन छ ।
प्रतीकात्मक प्रतिनिधित्व
मुख्य मन्दिरको दुबै छेउमा सिंह, हात्ती, मयुर, घोडा र गरुडका धातुकलाहरु पञ्च बुद्धको वाहन प्रतिकको रुपमा स्थापित छन् ।
उनीहरूलाई बोधिसत्वको रूपमा पनि लिइन्छ। उभिएको सालीक राणा प्रधान मन्त्रीको हो जुन स्थानीय कलाकारहरूले बनाएका थिए भनि वर्णन गर्छन्। सालीकमा “श्री ३ अजम्बरा महाराजा” को नाम लेखिएको छ तर यो मूर्ति यस विहारसँग सम्बन्धित भने छैन। उनको दाहिने हातले धातुको पाना समातेको छ जसमा अपर्मिता धारणी कुँदिएको छ।
तगो: चिभा
तगो: चिभा रुद्र वर्ण महाविहारको पछाडि अवस्थित एक धेरै सुन्दर स्तूप हो। यसलाई पाटन सहरको ढुङ्गा शिल्पको वास्तविक उदाहरणका रूपमा लिइन्छ। त्यही ठाउँमा एउटा धर्मधातु चैत्य थियो। पण्डित अभयराज शाक्यका नाति पण्डित जयमुनि शाक्यको रेखदेखमा १६८५ ईस्वी सम्बतमा स्तूप निर्माण गरिएको थियो। चैत्यको अगाडिको धर्मधातुले उक्त स्थानको सुन्दरता र पवित्रता थप्छ। स्तुप (चैत्य) को उत्तरपट्टि रहेको बासुकी नाग भएको खाडलमा सुख्खा मौसममा वर्षाको लागि पूजा गरिन्छ। यसका राजा योग नरेन्द्र मल्ल र दानपति (भक्त)को उपस्थितिमा समापन समारोह आयोजना गरिएको थियो ।
ईलाकाका श्री रत्नमुनी शाक्य वंशले सन १६८७ मा सम्यक दानको व्यवस्ता गरेको उक्त समारोहामा काठमाडौंका राजा भुपालेन्द्र मल्ल र ललितपुरका राजा योग नरेन्द्र मल्ल उपस्तित गरएका थिए । एउटै समरोहमा २ राजा उपस्थित भएर उद्घाटन गरिएको संरचना नेपालको इतिहासमा यही १ मात्र ठाउँ रहेको छ। उक्त २ राजाको उपस्थितिको प्रतिक चैत्यको पछाडिको भागमा अवस्थित शिलामा देख्न सकिन्छ ।
सन्धर्भ
काजी रत्न शाक्य; रुद्रवर्ण महाविहार संरक्षण समिति अधक्ष्य
