The construction of the Mahabuddha Temple; located in a claustrophobically narrow courtyard; was begun in 1585 during the reign of King Mahendra Malla by a Newari Brahman called Abhayaraja Shakya. Abhayaraja had spent three years on a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya in India; the place where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. On his return; Abhayaraja brought with him a Buddha statue for which he endeavoured to build a temple similar to the famous Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. Well-prepared for the task; Abhayaraja carried with him a model of the original temple in India; which was to be copied in Patan.

Though built on a much smaller scale than the original; the construction of the Mahabuddha Temple in Patan reputedly took several generations. After Abhayaraja Shakya had died; his sons and their descendents carried on the work. Records also seem to indicate that the temple turned out somewhat different from the original in India; which may have been due to the difficulties in working from a small-scale model such as Abhayaraja must have brought from India.

During the earthquake of 1934 the temple was severely damaged and; due to lack of photographs or drawings; the restoration had to be done entirely from memory. The outcome was bound to be different from the original structure. Pictures From Asia Chaweewan Chuchuay