Exploring Patan in the
17th CENTURY
The exact date when the Matha was built is still unknown but experts agree that it is from the Malla period (1201-1779 CE). According to stone inscriptions engraved in 1679 CE, Jaya Kishor Bharati established the Chhayabahal Matha and associated Guthi/Trust. The stone inscription mentions that the main temple was established on a Tuesday, when the sun was positioned in the zodiac sign of Gemini and the Moon in Pisces on virtuous land or an energy center (Shakti Peeth).
The history and traditions of the Chabahal Matha are associated with Adi Shankaracharya (Sanskrit:
आदि शङ्कराचार्यः733–746 CE), a Hindu philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. He is credited with unifying and establishing the main currents of thought in Hinduism. Adi Shankaracharya founded four mathas ("monasteries"), which helped in the historical development, revival and spread of Advaita Vedanta. The religious practices carried out in Chabahal Matha can be linked to one of these four original monasteries i.e. the Singeri Matha in Karnataka, India.
Sri Adi Shankara also organized hindu monks under an umbrella grouping of ten names to provide an organized base for the growth of Hinduism. Later on these 10 groups became 10 surnames called the Dasnami. The Bharati’s of Patan are descendants of these original monks and are the patrons of the Chabahal Matha.
Ten Surnames of Dasnami are:
Giri (गिरी) (Mountain Peak)
Puri (पुरी) (Town)
Bharati (भारती) (Goddess of Speech)
Ban or Van (बन) (Woods)
Tirtha (तिर्थ) (Pilgrimage)
Parvat (पर्वत) (Mountain)
Sagar (सागर) (Ocean)
Saraswati (सरस्वती) (Goddess of learning)
Aashram (आश्रम) (Hermitage)
Aranya (आरन्य) (Bountiful natural forest)
Tangible Heritage
In Lalitpur, seven monasteries established by the Hindu Dasnami Sanyasi renouncers used to exist. Today, some of them do not even have any walls standing, sometimes only a Shivalinga remains, hidden in the rubble or lost on a waste ground. But in other monasteries, in contrast, tradition has remained alive and sometimes even the buildings have kept their original beauty (Bouillier, 1998). The Chabahal Matha (Hindu Monastery) and the temple of Shree 3 Visheshwor Mahadev is the best preserved and most beautiful Matha in Lalitpur. This monastery is located in the north-western part of Lalitpur, in the Pimbaha area, not far from Patan Dhoka.
The Monument is arranged according to the classic cok plan with four main buildings around a central square courtyard. The carved windows are decorated in an attractive style. The southern side, partially opening onto a veranda includes two small shrines, one dedicated to the kulde-vatii Variiha and the other to the goddess Bhagavati and reserved for the Dasai celebrations. In the centre of the courtyard, a small temple with a bulbous roof, covered with coloured faience like those fashionable at the beginning of this century, is dedicated to Shree 3 Visheshwor Mahadev. The temple is closed except during the time of the poojas. The temple contains a stone Shivalinga covered in gilded bronze. A cement moulding around the temple is used as a support for the oil lamps and for a portico from which two bells, engraved with the names of their donors, are suspended.
Chayabahal is the only matha in Lalitpur for which ancient documents are found in the Archives. One (Archives K 146/27) is dated 868 Nepal Samvat (1747 AD) and registers a land gift by Raya Bharati Gosain "with his own hands" for the benefit of Visheshwor Mahadev for the financing of the daily pooja (nitya pooja), the distribution of food (sadiivarta) and money and the celebration of Shivaratri. The remuneration of the Brahman officiant is also indicated (40 pathi of rice per year), as well as the maintenance of the cok and of the person who distributes food. This document has recently been
copied and certified by the late Isvari Prasad Bharati (Archives K 136/45) (Bouillier, 1998).
Chhayabahal the 'Bharati' under the group of Dasanami Sanyasi
Intangible Heritage
Procedures enumerated by Adi Śankara are practiced in the Matha but due to centuries of interaction with the Newar community of Patan, many trantric rituals are also carried out by the priest. Daily -Nitya Pooja are carried out with very specific rituals. More elaborate rituals are carried out on important days such as the full moon, new moon and religious festivals.
The rituals are carried out by the Mahanta, who is the head of the Matha and a trantric priest. It is written in the stone inscriptions that the Mahanta that carries out the temple duties will receive bountiful blessings. However; the Pancha-maha pataka curse has also been placed for the family, in
case the commitments are not fulfilled as well as anyone who steals the statues and other valuables
of the Matha. Tantric Rituals:The Pancha-maha Pataka curse is equivalent to the sins of murdering cows, Brahmins, women, infants and teachers. The stone inscriptions state that sun, the moon and the earth are witnesses to this arrangement.
RESTORING THE 300 YEAR OLD PRIVILEGE
Restoring each detail
THE TEMPLE AND
DEITIES
ARCHITECTURE
AT THE MATHA
THE RITUALS
The Chayabahal math was founded by Jaya Kishor Bharati on land he owned. Jaya Kishor built three sides of the cok and the central temple. He was also a powerful tantric. The story about the last side is as follows: "The fourth side isn't his. He went to see the king three or four times to ask for land. The king refused to receive him. 'Who is this king?', he said, 'If that is how it is, I'm leaving'. He later organized a feast and as there was no ghee, he transformed water into ghee.
The king heard of the prodigy and gave him the land and the materials necessary for constructing the fourth wing (but it is the least beautiful)". (Bouillier, 1998).
SANYASI'S IN LALITPUR
Where do the funds of the Sanyasi come from, why were they in Lalitpur? I do not have sufficient data to put forth anything but suppositions : we do know the importance of Sanyasi commercial enterprises at this time and their installation of storehouses in the Valley for their trade with Tibet. It is also known that the Naga Sanyasi were recruited as mercenaries by the Malia and Gorkha armies. The importance of the buildings and their location for most of them in the very heart of the town confirm their central position in the economic mechanism of the city. The fact that most of the monuments were Niji guthi i.e. from private foundation and not Raj guthi from Royal gifts, reveals a more individual and less institutional setting (Bouillier, 1998)
