Temple of the 9,000 Buddhas

In Okubahal in the district of Lalitpur in Kathmandu Valley is the 15th century Mahabodhi (or Mahabuddha) Temple; the "Great Awakening" Temple. It is believed to have 9,000 statues of Buddha engraved on its outer surface. Pandit Abhayaraj, in 1564, laid the foundation stones in his own residential courtyard. Goddess Vidhyadhari came to him in his dreams and directed him to build a temple. He recreated his temple from the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya in India. After his death, his sons and grandsons continued the construction, over four generations of the Abhayaraj family, taking 36 years to complete.

The images of Buddha in the temple represent the past, present, and future. Shakyamuni Buddha is place in the main sanctum facing east, accompanied by images of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Vajrapani Bodhisattva on the sides. The temple was demolished in the 1934 earthquake and reconstructed over four years. The Rana Prime Minister of the time, Judhha Shamsher, was so impressed by the reconstruction that he reimbursed the government loan. The lineage of the five elders of the family continues to look after the temple. In 1999, the family established the Mahabuddha Temple Preservation Organization. The MTPO completed new renovations in 2000 with local support. Nowadays, non-Nepalis pay an entrance fee to contribute to the upkeep of the temple.

Although situated right in the city, the temple is secluded behind a lane to retain its peace and serenity. The periphery of the shrine is well maintained. To find it, go to Patan, and it is east of Durbar Square.

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