By far the most beautiful temple in Patan is the Golden Temple in Patan. Locally known as Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, it is a UNESCO world heritage site and protected.
It was built by King Bhaskar Varman in the 12th Century.
A story goes that the king dreamed of a golden mouse chasing a cat. Next morning the king saw a replay of the dream in reality – of a golden mouse chasing a cat at the same location. He decided to build a temple at the exact location. Even today mice are fed with the caretakers placing food in the four corners of the temple.
MAIN RELICS
There are several sacred relics here. The main one is the 900-year old Prajñāpāramitā (the Perfection of Wisdom) scriptures, which is read every morning, and which if you are lucky the priest allows you to touch it and get a blessing. This volume is one of the oldest surviving and which has been uninterruptedly read for over 400 years. So, you are looking at 400+ years of blessing.
BUDDHA STATUES WASHES ITSELF.
The main altar is dedicated to Lord Buddha (Jowo Shakyamuni) that is decorated with an array of Sambhogakaya ornaments. The statue is another very sacred relic that is revered by the Newars.
The statue is considered as ‘alive’ and thus very sacred, because it is believed that it took a bath on its own.
According to a story, there was once a war between two great ancient kingdoms of the Kirants and Lichhavis. And no one dared to venture out of their homes. So, the Buddha’s statue at the temple was not taken care of or worshipped.
A deeply devoted Buddhist family decided to send their child, a very young boy, to wash the Buddha statue believing no one would hurt a child. The child arrived at the temple and innocently placed the pot of water at the door.
The boy thought that the Lord Buddha statue would wash itself like everyone else. He repeatedly told the statue that the bath water was ready. Not seeing the statue respond, the boy was heartbroken and began to cry.
The Statue took pity on the child and moved and washed itself. Thereafter, and even today, the head priest of the temple is a young boy under the age of 12.
MANJUSHRI SANGHITI
There is also the rare Mahamanjushri Sanghiti statue and the scripture, which is regularly read.
The ten-arm Manjushri Sanghiti is the older form of Manjushri who is believed to have been the celestial teacher of Gautama Buddha. The teaching and the scriptures as we have them now, which are included in the Kangur, are believed to have been the version taught by Buddha to Vajrapani to bring down his ferociousness.
GETTING THERE
The place is easily reached by a taxi. It is the most popular place in Patan
Dorji Wangchuk 