One cannot help wonder if this bull is related to the Dipankha bull in Nagbahaa, Lalitpur, though that one does not have wings. In the past, there were four of these “flying bulls” in Janabahaa, but only one of them has survived the test of time. The stone craftsmen who are at present repairing the chaityas (memorials shrines) in the Janabahaa complex are going to try and rebuild three of these bulls with wings and place them at the exact spots where they once rested. Do visit Janabahaa sometime and find out for yourself where the lone bull is, and where they have gone missing from. After all, Janabahaa is open 24X7.
Friedhelm Nunnemann is a retired quality management specialist from Germany, and is a fan of Kathmandu's cultural and architectural heritage. He recently found us via this blog, and has single-handedly delivered the results that we have been trying to achieve for a long time now -- locating the floor plan of Janabahaa created by a Janapese research team more than two decades ago. As it turns out, the research was specifically about the Nitya Puja -- the daily rituals conducted by the priest caretaker (dyo pala) of the Janabahaa Dyo temple. We now know, thanks to our new German friend, that the research was conducted at Janabahaa by a team from Kanazawa University of Japan.
Given below is the email trail that led to this discovery.
From: F. Nunnemann Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 5:15 PM To: info@janabahaa.org.np Subject: Please help me !
Namaakar,
my name is Friedhelm Nunnemann, 67 years old and living in Germany.
I visited Nepal seven times and I´m very interested in the culture
and architecture of Kathmandu Valley.
During my studies I found a plan of Janabahaa (Attachment 1) but didn´t
find the author of this googling in the net. The author must be a japanese
scholar conducting a project about Janabahaa some years ago.
Do you know this group or some sources of information about the results ?
It would be very kind, if you could help me.
Waiting for your answer
with best regards
Friedhelm Nunnemann
From: Alok Tuladhar Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 6:02 PM To: 'F. Nunnemann' Cc: 'Sampurna Tuladhar'; 'Jai Rajbhandari' Subject: RE: Please help me !
Dear F. Nunnemann,
Thank you for your mail, and for your interest in our cultural heritage. We do not know the author of this plan, nor do we have any information about it. In fact, I was just talking to a college group yesterday at Janabahaa, and I had mentioned this very plan to them. We do have two other plans of Janabahaa with us, but I had told the students yesterday that we need to hunt down a plan that a Japanese team had developed. What a coincidence!
Well, let me ask you – where did you get this plan?
Are you a scholar of eastern culture? An architect? How did you find out about us? We are very interested to hear from you.
From: F. Nunnemann Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:49 PM To: Alok Tuladhar Subject: RE: Please help me ! (2)
Namaskar Alok Tuladhar,
thank you for your quick and surprising answer. I´m happy to have this contact with you and Nepal.
Here my answers :
1. I found this literature in the internet by googling (Bahal, Bahil, Vihara etc.) and at that time I have
copied only this one page I sent to you. Later on I didn´t find the same page, because I don´t know the name
of the author or other tag words.
2. I found your address in your very informing and nice Blog (Janabahaa.blogspot.com).
3. I´m retiered. Before that I was at Mercedes responsible for exhaust emission and later for quality management. Nepals heritage is my time consuming hobby.
My last visit was september / october last year.
My next visit will be october next year.
I wonder who of us will find the origin of the plan.
Best Regards
F. Nunnemann
From: F. Nunnemann Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 10:03 PM To: Alok Tuladhar Subject: RE: Please help me ! (3)
From: Alok Tuladhar Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:03 PM To: 'F. Nunnemann' Subject: RE: Please help me ! (3)
Wow! This is quite a discovery. I have dreamt for finding this document for a long time, and had inquired with lots of people about it. Many elders knew about the research project that the Japanese team had conducted, but no one could give me any concrete links on how to trace the researchers. Now you have achieved the results on your own!
Thank you very much indeed.
I will share information about this discovery with my blog readers, of course, with due credit to you. I will hide your email address, unless you desire otherwise.
PS: I am sure we will be able to meet when you come to Kathmandu next.
During the planning stage of the renovation of the main Janabahaa Dyo temple, MEH Consultants Pvt. Ltd. had sent a team of surveyors and architects, led by senior engineer Manik Tuladhar, to measure the floor plans of the temple. As a results of that exercise, we have on record the detailed measurements of the temple structure in CAD format, thanks to the dedicated team from MEH.
Manik Tuladhar (right) briefs a metal technician. Photo by Alok Tuladhar.
Maink Tuladhar oversaw the entire renovation of the Janabahaa Dyo temple from the structural engineering perspective. He has had a distinguished career, including many years in a senior position at the Institute of Engineering of Tribhuvan University, and is a founder director of MEH Consultants. With a M.S. (Structures) degree from the University of Hawaii, USA and a B.E. (Civil) degree from the University of Kashmir, India, he has over 35 years of experience as structural engineer and computer analyst. He has extensively used modern computer software packages for design of civil engineering structures. He has vast experience in structural design of buildings, commercial complexes, bridges, drainage works and water supply related projects. He continues to contribute his experience and talent to the Digi Chhen reconstruction that is being planned with much gusto at present.
Kathmandu-based MEH Consultants is a consulting company that renders consulting services in engineering, health, education, agriculture, forestry and other sectors. MEH was established in 1997 by senior professionals who were actively engaged in the consulting profession since the last two decades.
The "daloo" cleaning campaign is a never-ending one. It takes about two weeks for the daloos to get back to their dirt-laden condition. The leftover oil attracts dust and pigeon feathers quite easily. It is not surprising that the bird droppings accumulate fairly quickly, given the huge pigeon population in the courtyard. Here are some pictures of a clean-up campaign conducted in June 2008, with participation from devotees, local residents and members of the official priest clan.
Use of gas burner to melt the dirt before scraping it off.
Melting away the dirt using a high-power gas burner.
Dipankar Shakya (in hat) scraping off the melted dirt with thick (gunny bag) cloth.
Nabin Shakya, a member of the priest clan, scraping the daloos clean with a knife.
Here are the latest versions of the conceptual drawings of the Digi Chhen for it proposed reconstruction. The central windows have been scaled down in this version so that they fit in one story, as opposed to the previous one where they were almost one-and-half floors in scale.
Minutes of November 7 Meeting (Recorded by Umesh Kaji Tamrakar)
PROJECT TITLE
Janabaha Agam chen
Meeting title
Site meeting on modified plans and conceptual elevation and section
Date
07.11.09
Time
10.00am
Present
Mr. Tirtha Dhar Tuladhar
Mr. Nil Kaji Shakya
Ms. Rajani Tamrakar
Mr. Bibhuti Man Singh
Mr. Manik Tuladhar
Mr. Rajesh Shrestha
Mr. Nabin Shakya
Mr. Buddha Shakya
Mr. Alok Tuladhar
Mr. Umesh Kaji Tamrakar
SN
PARTICULARS
ACTION
1
Columns grid towards the courtyard side to shift along the wall so that the hall in the second floor becomes column free space
2
Toilet to be removed from first floor and instead have two toilets in the ground floor.
3
Shallow well instead of underground water tank for rain water harvesting
It seems the blogger Salokya sat through the entire three-hour screening with his video camera, and enjoyed it so much that he thought it worthy of publishing two separate posts about the screening on his highly admired blog. Pictured here are a couple of interesting screen shots from MySansar.com, which boasts an unprecendented 200+ simultaneous viewers from all over the world at any given time.
The ongoing cleaning campaign at Janabahaa resumed on November 7, 2009 Saturday with zealous participation of about fifteen volunteers students from Nepal College of Travel & Tourism Management, Naxal, Kathmandu. Besides rallying the much-needed muscle power to help keep the artifacts around the courtyard clean, this activity serves in a major way to gain entry into the minds of today’s youth and to instill a sense of belonging in them about our one-of-a-kind heritage.
As part of the program, Alok Tuladhar, representing Janabahaa Society, gave brief a tour of the premises and conducted a short interaction with the students about the various issues concerning Janabahaa and the participation of people in their possible solutions. Most of the participations willingly became members of the Society, which showed their keen interest to be part of the preservation efforts at Janabahaa.
Special appreciation goes to Raman Nepali and team from Nodan Club for facilitating this event.
Did the inventors of these have any practical purpose in mind, besides being objects of beauty, devotion and faith? One cannot help but wonder, as the power cut season draws nearer by the day, could lighting be one of those?
Cleaning is a continuous process. It requires people’s involvement. And involvement is a good thing.
In an effort to give continuity to the cleaning campaign at Janabahaa, (http://janabahaa.blogspot.com/2008/07/continued-cleaning-campaign.html), Janabahaa Society has re-initiated the campaign of inviting different groups, especially the youth, to Janabahaa and involving them in the cleaning of various religious and archeological artifacts in this sacred courtyard.
To start with, a group of about twenty students from the Ace Institute of Management (http://www.ace.edu.np), Sinamangal, Kathmandu were mobilized to clean up the “daloo” or oil lamp posts on three sides the main temple building on October 11, 2009. These students were all from the BBA and BBA-BI First Semester of Ace, and belonged to the volunteer group RUNVAN, or Returned United Nations Volunteers Association of Nepal (http://acesocialwork09.blogspot.com/2009/10/introduction.html). Coordinated by Santosh Bohara and facilitated by Ambika Poudel, this group not only carried out the cleaning work with much gusto, but also uploaded photos and feedback about this activity on their own blog site at http://acesocialwork09.blogspot.com/2009/10/cleaning-of-seto-machchindranath-temple.html.
After the cleanup, Alok Tuladhar led a brief group discussion with the students at the Janabahaa Society office about the ongoing preservation works at Janabahaa and its significance to the unique historical, religious and cultural identity of the country. Free membership to the Society was also offered to the participants of the cleanup program that day.
Public toilet on ground floor to be shifted in front with access from the courtyard
2
Can Bhajan space be multipurpose? To be discussed with Bhajan group
3
Basement to be planned. For maximum utility of basement, water tank be shifted to courtyard which in turn be used for water distribution to public after water harvesting
4
Baidyo space be used as information centre and part of kitchen be used as ancillary office space with sliding folding partition so that once a year this space be used as kitchen
5
Ht. not to exceed around 40’ although measured ht. till the top of Gajur is 56’ (from surveyed information) as the actual established deity is lower
6
Elevation to be developed
7
Floor heating not a necessity as we have just 4 months of winter that too not severe. Also equipments for floor heating require frequent maintenance and therefore not cost effective. However, floor heating not totally phased out, still open for discussion and expert technical opinion
These are digitized versions of portraits that adorn one of the walls of the Bhajan chamber, besides the main entrance to the Janabahaa complex, on the ground floor of the Digi Chhen. The portraits depict some of the more famous Malla-dynasty kings, who ruled the Kathmandu Valley from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (see Wikipedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malla_(Nepal)).
If you wish to get your hands on replicas of these precious collectors' items, hold your horses for a few days. We will tell you right here, on this blog, how you can acquire high-quality copies of these.
In ancient times, the vihars were holy places where Vajrayani and Mahayani camps of Buddhism were studied. Buddhist philosophy and meditation was practiced in the vihars to bring about peace, harmony and brotherhood with an altruistic view following the ideals of the Bodhichitta vow, “Buddho Bhaveyam Jagato Hitaya.” Nowadays that altruistic vision of the vihars and its concept seems to be diverted only towards rituals, feasts, festivals and celebrations. The practice of meditation and the studying of Buddhist philosophy in the vihars have virtually disappeared, and the compassionate ideals of Karunamaya totally forgotten.
Today, Janabahaa is a living heritage site with a rich history, and is a centre of enormous pride for the Nepali society. Many ancient customs and rituals are still widely practiced at Janabahaa. The chariot festival and many other popular events related to Aryavalokiteswara are celebrated annually with much gusto and fanfare. Thousands of devotees throng to Janabahaa on particular religious or cultural occasions throughout the year.
The complex is dotted with more than fifty different chaityas (chortens), pillars and other objects of religious significance. The temple itself is endowed with hundreds of intricate metal or wooden works of art, each with its own symbolic meaning.
It is believed that Karunamaya Aryavalokiteswara (the compassionate one) came to this earth in prehistoric times with an altruistic view to eliminate the sufferings of all sentient beings and for the welfare of mankind. He is considered to be a protector of the whole world. Hindus as well as Mahayani Buddhists (Newar Buddhists) worship Aryavalokiteswara Karunamaya with great faith. Hindus call him the white Machhindra Nath, the great guru of Gorakhnath, while Mahayani Buddhists call him Aryavalokiteswara, Janabahadyo, Karunamaya, Lokeswara, etc.
Though there are 108 prominent Lokeswaras displayed in the temple complex of Aryavalokiteswara, some Mahayani Buddhists also believe there are 360 Lokeswaras altogether. Among the 108 Lokeswaras, Karunamaya Aryavalokiteswara is considered the most compassionate one. He is famous for his vow, "Buddho Bhaveyam Jagato Hitaya" (meaning, "may I become the Buddha for the welfare of mankind."), which is known as the Bodhichitta vow.
Because of his compassionate nature towards all sentient beings without any discrimination of cast and creed, Aryavalokiteswara was very famous in the Buddhist world even before the Pancha Buddhas came into light. In the Pancha Rakshya Sutra, a Buddhist scripture of about 200 A.D., Aryavalokiteswara was counted among the eight major deities, in the same rank as Akshyobhya, Raja, Aryavalokiteswara, Amitabha, Nemi, Ratna, Archi and Meru. In another Buddhist scripture, the Saddharma Sutra, he is described as the great protector – one who protects from the eight fears, such as fire, water, disease, death, etc. Therefore, people of Hindu, Shaiva or Buddhist religion honor Karunamaya equally as a deity capable of liberating all conscious beings from trouble and for prolonging one's life.
The temple of Aryavalokiteswara is situated at Kanak Chaitya Mahavihar (popularly known as Janabahaa) near Indra Chowk in central Kathmandu, and was built during king Yaksha Malla’s period. The statue and temple of Aryavalokiteswara was originally located in Jama Yambi area (Jamal at present) during the Lichhavi period, which, for some reason, turned into a rice field in the course of time. According to folklore, during King Yakshya Malla’s period, a local farmer stumbled into a metal statue while digging his field, and took it home. Karunamaya appeared in the farmer’s dream and asked to be taken to Kanak Chaitya Mahavihar, which he promptly did, and installed the statue in a temple. Thus, the temple of Janabahaa Dyo was established in present day Kel Tol.
Architecture of the temple suggests that initially a small structure was built during King Yaksha Malla’s reign, but was later upgraded during King Laxmi Narasingh Malla’s period, as per the inscription on a bracelet found within the temple premises. It is not yet known when the temple was upgraded to its present form, as formal research is yet to be conducted about the many inscriptions found all over the temple complex.
Kanak Chaitya
Kanak Chaitya (or Mu Chiva) is among the ancient chaityas found in the Kathmandu Valley. People believe it is built by the Kolees, descendants of the maternal family of Lord Buddha, who were driven away from Kapilvastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Kolees eventually found their way to Kathmandu and took shelter here about 2,400 years ago. The locality where they took refuge was named Koligram, after the Kolees, and was later renamed during the Malla period as Kel Tol, which is the name it is known with till today. Kanak Chaitya was established by the Kolees in honor of Kanak Muni Buddha, as proven by an Ashok-era manuscript found in Kapilvastu.
Kwapa Dyo (Caretaker Deity) and Digi Chhen
Kwapa Dyo (also called Kostha Pala Dyo, Kwachapal Dyo, etc.), is a manifestation of the Akshyobhya Buddha. Kwapa Dyo is one of the prominent deities of Buddhist vihars of the Vajrayani sect, and is always placed on the ground floor of a long, two- or three-story building, known as Digi Chhen. Public properties, such as vihars, were built long and tall, which were proudly called Dirgha Chhen (or long house) by priests and monks who lived or studied there. Digi Chhen is the corrupt form of Dirgha Chhen. On the first floor of Digi Chhen, which is known as the Agama, mostly Chakrasamvar (who belongs to the lineage of Akshyobhya Tathagat family) is found as the main deity. In Janabahaa, the placement of Kwapa Dyo and Digi Chhen contradicts with the vihar construction methods described in Buddhist scriptures Kriya Sangraha and Kriya Smmuchaya, and hence is a matter of in-depth research.
In 1917 A.D., a great fire broke out at Kel Tol, which engulfed everything except the important deities of Kwapa Dyo and Digi Chhen. The priests of Janabhaa, at that critical moment, shifted all deities to Lakha Tirtha near Chagal in the western part of Kathmandu, planning to store them there until the renovation of Digi Chhen was completed. But the Kwapa Dyo was never brought back, and remains at Lakha Tirtha till this day. The present Kwapa Dyo at Janabahaa is one that has been established recently.
Pagoda
Deities have been housed in pagoda (or Kutagar) style temples since the time of the Buddha. When Lord Buddha was in his mother’s womb, he is believed to have been housed in a pagoda style enclosure. The temple of Janabahaa Dyo is also built in pagoda style, and is considered one of the most ornately decorated temples in Kathmandu valley.
Toran
Carvings on the mantelpiece above the door, or tympanum (toran), serves as an indicator of which deity is inside the building. Image of Amoghpasa Lokeswara is embodied in this intricate toran.
Jina Stambha
Jina Stambha is a pillar established mandatorily in all vihars to pledge for the stability of the rule of Buddhism, and symbolizes truth, religion and purity in one’s conduct. Jina Sthambas have been established since the time of Ashoka, the great conqueror emperor of India.
Chhetrapal
One of the unique features of all Vajrayani temples and vihars is the Chhetrapal, a small square dugout in front of the temple, for the protection of the complex. The Chhetrapal is also revered as Lukumaha Dyo, a form of Shiva.
NOTE: Janabahaa Society is looking for donors (in kind or cash) to publish a leaflet with the above content. Please email info@janabahaa.org.np or call 9851085316 if you would like to help, or know someone who might be able to help.
Countless heaps of dust and muck were removed from the upper floors during the cleaning up process to replace the flooring.
All the grime was collected in the courtyard...
...and sifted through meticulously.
Mummified mice and pigeons were a common find.
A few artifacts were found in the dirt, though of no great value.
These are some of the dyo pala gurujus (caretaker priests of Janabahaa Dyo) who personally undertook most of the renovation works at the temple. Indra Bajracharya (in red jacket) from Bhinchhebahaa, Patan is not associated with Janabahaa Dyo, but was the lead technician in the repair works, drawing from his vast experience of working with similar projects earlier.
Today, we are faced with the challenge of uncontrolled cramming up of the core areas of Kathmandu with population overflow from all over the country, and from neighboring India as well. Janabahaa is no exception. Despite that, this holy courtyard remains a favorite recreational area for children from the entire neighborhood. The clutter of stupas in the courtyard does not seem to bother them -- in fact, it helps make a perfect hide-and-seek playground.
Janabahaa is a heaven for people watchers. It is relatively calm, though there is plenty going on. People are hectically engaged either in commerce, or in trying to take control of their karma. Or they are just chilling out.
All interested individuals and organizations are requested to provide their feedback, comments, criticism, suggestions, contributions and inputs of any kind no later than October 20, 2009 by commenting on this blog or by sending email to info@janabahaa.org.np to help in the decision making process in an efficient, all-encompassing manner.
Minutes (recorded by Umesh Tamrakar)
PROJECT TITLE
Janabaha Agam chen
Meeting title
Site meeting on modified plans
Date
12.09.09
Time
8.30am
Present
Mr. Tirtha Dhar Tuladhar
Mr. Nil Kaji Shakya
Mr. Bijay Shrestha
Mr. Prem Ratna Bajracharya
Ms. Rajani Tamrakar
Mr. Dinesh Bajra Bajracharya
Mr. Indra Raj Bajracharya
Mr. Alok Tuladhar
Mr. Jai Rajbhandari
Mr. Umesh Kaji Tamrakar
SN
PARTICULARS
ACTION
1
Can Bhajan space be relocated? It was agreed that it can.
2
Bhajan space along with office space be combined as multipurpose space for Bhajan, information centre, display hall, meeting etc.
Umesh developing plans
3
One public pay toilet on the ground floor with access from outside and one on upper floors for Gurjus. May be keep the position of the public toilet in the ground floor as is in the drawing with access from Balkumari road.
4
Can Basement/ Semi basement be provided?
New by laws says yes
5
If the ht. permits (i.e not exceeding the ht. of the actual temple) can one more floor be added? As per by laws there is restriction to ht. 35’ for Preserved monument sub zone and 45’ for Cultural heritage sub-zone. For buildings in Preserved monument sub zone maximum 4 storey each 8’ ht.
Ht. of temple is being measured by Graphic survey team on 13.09.09.
Umesh to confirm whether this area lies in Preserved monument sub-zone or Cultural heritage sub-zone.
6
Can entrance be made narrower than 13’? Entrance was made smaller from around 16’ to 13’.
Scores of families earn a livelihood out of Janabahaa. Any development work, including renovation, preservation, sanctification, etc. should not overlook that fact. The need to strike a balance between change and impact is inescapable. Here are some faces of people who depend upon Janabahaa for their very survival.
After all, Janabahaa Dyo (or Karunamaya) is all about compassion, isn't it?
His bio reads like this: "still trying to confirm some inner certainties about architecture: hopelessly romantic, incurably impractical."
Sounds familiar? Yes, that is our own Bibhuti Man Singh, who graduated from the West Pakistan University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore in 1972. He completed his Post Graduate training through a JICA sponsored program. He is the Chief Architect of Kathmandu-based architecture firm Technical Interface and the Former president of the Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA). Some the projects he worked on include the Park Village Resort at Budhanilkantha, Club Himalaya at Nagarkot, Himalayan Pavilion in Hanover Expo 2000, etc.
A revival of the classical composition that existed before the fire.
A more streamlined composition of functional spaces on each floor.
A visitor-friendly depiction of popular imagery on the facade.
Fixtures & finishes more in line with contemporary sensitivities.
Repair & reuse of existing artifacts & materials (adaptive reuse).
He also believes in fully documenting the whole process of creating the new design for the Digi Chhen as it unfolds over the coming months in a transparent and inclusive manner with the aim of incorporating all conflicting or competing interests or perspectives into the final design.
If you have any questions for him, please feel free to put up them up as a comment to this post together with your email address, and they will be forwarded to him.
Remember all the high-tech stuff going on at Janabhaa the other day (http://janabahaa.blogspot.com/2009/09/focusing-on-digi-chhen.html)? Well, the result of that survey is out, and the height of the main Janabhaa Dyo temple is officially declared as 53.64173228346457 feet (16.35 meters). Thanks again to Achyut Bajracharya and team from Graphic Survey & Design Consult for conducting this very important task so efficiently.
No one knows when the Digi Chhen was built, or who build it. Though it has been used all along as a community center, it was not clear who the actual owner of the property was. But that changed forever on July 21, 2009, when the government issued the official land ownership certificate (or lalpurja) to "Shree Seto Machhindra Nathko Aagan Ghar (Digi Agamchhen)." This herculean feat was made possible because of the efforts of the local community -- the different groups of people who use the building in various ways.
When this infrequent visitor showed up at Janabahaa out of the blue, it caused quite a commotion, disturbing the tranquility for a while.Photos by Alok Tuladhar.
Janabahaa Heritage Information Centre aims to bring about positive changes around the Seto Macchendranath complex in central Kathmandu to solve issues faced by this sacred neighborhood -- by increasing awareness so that community members will come up with solutions.
Youtube videos about Karunamya
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