Inacho Baha (Indra-Vartta Mahavihar)
Dedicated
to Gautam Buddha Inacho Baha is yet another Mahavihar located at Inacho. The
Baha was built in 1671 A. D. next to Patiga Hiti. The baha is
one of the few well preserved in Bhaktapur. The doorway of the shrine is marked
by two stone lions. The doorway is surmounted by a metal torana depicting the
Buddha (Aksobhya), flanked by Dharma (Prajnaparamita) on the right and the
sangha (Sadaksari Lokessvara) on the left. Enshrined Aksobhya, the Kwapadyo in this baha faces west. The exterior of the
first storey displays a fivefold carved window (pasukajhya) flanked by two
smaller windows. Wood carved struts support the roof depicting five Buddhas.
Three chaityas in the center of the courtyard are from late Malla period. Oil
lamps run around the middle chaitya. A relationship between Vajracharyas
of Chatubrahma Mahavihar and Indravarna Mahavihar is on an intellectual level.
The Vajracharyas of Indravarna Mahavihar are considered as the teachers. At
Inacho baha, on the full moon day in Bhadra the in-charge of guthi has to
participate in the feast organized by Samyak Mahadan organization. Here,
traditionally ‘Mulacharya’ bhai puja takes place during chaitya ‘busandha’ on
the day of ‘kwatipunhi.’
The
sangh of Inacho vihar is extended with hundreds of members who are known as
Buddhacharyas. For a month the member families turn by turn take care of the
baha throughout the year. ‘Chuda karma’ is performed to sons of the members in
this baha. The lineage deity of the sangh is Guheswori who was brought from
Guheswori shrine at Pashupatinath to reside in its present place at Sidhi
Pukhu. Festivals take place in this baha during Biska jatra and Gunla.
