History has it that it took four generations of the same family to complete construction of the temple.
Pandit Abhayaraj in Nepal Sambat 685 (1564 AD), laid the foundation stone in his own residential courtyard. It is said that Goddess Vidhyadhari visited him in his dream and directed him to build the temple.
Pandit Abhayaraj had visited Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya in India for meditation and samadhi.It was there that he decided to build a similar temple in his homeland and made a painting of the same. After his death, his sons and grandsons worked to build the temple taking reference from the painting.
Crafted by the artisan Hakuju, the temple’s construction was continued by his successors Muniju and Ratna Muni. It was completed during the 15th century in 1600 AD, after thirty-six years of hard work. The then king, Shiva Singha Malla is said to have participated in a worship ritual organized upon completion of the work.
The temple has images of Buddha, representing three segments that of the past, present and the future. Shakyamuni Budhha is placed in the main sanctum facing east, accompanied by images of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Vajrapani Bodhisattva on the sides.
The images of Dipankara Tathagata, Maitriya, Ratnapani, Padmapani, Visvapani, Amitabha, Ratnosish, Padmosnish and Vishwasnish are also enshrined in the temple on different directions.
The temple was demolished in the earthquake of 1934 AD. The lineage of the five sons of Pandit Abhayaraj, known as ‘Nyacho Aaju’, headed the reconstruction of the temple. Till date, families of the five elders look after the temple in turn.
The curator family changes every month. Reconstruction work was supervised by master artisan Jogmani Shakya.
“During the time when all of the houses of people were destroyed, Buddhi Narsingh Shakya and Devraj Shakya stepped ahead to supervise the reconstruction,” says Naresh Man Shakya, former president of Mahabudhha Temple Preservation Organization.
Ahoratra Yajna, a fire ritual that lasts day and night, was performed to mark the completion of reconstruction in 1938 A.D. Judhha Shamsher, the then Rana Prime Minister had visited the temple for the ritual.
He was so impressed by the works that he reimbursed the loan provided by the government for construction of the temple.
At present, Mahabudhha Temple Preservation Organization, established in 1999 A.D. maintains the temple.
The committee had also renovated the temple in the year 2000 with support from the locals. Images of Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha and other images on the outer walls of the temple have also been repaired.
Though situated in the main city area, the temple is secluded amongst the inner lane of Okubahal, with the ambience being peaceful and serene. The periphery of the shrine is well maintained with good sanitation and proper places for lighting ‘dewas’ (traditional brass temple lamps).
According to Naresh Man Shakya, the temple always faced financial crisis for the reformation and other activities. Therefore, the temple preservation committee has been collecting entrance fees from non-Nepalis, which according to them is used for the temple’s conservation.
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