Te Bahal, Buddhist monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Te Bahal is a Buddhist monastery in Kathmandu containing multiple temples, shrines, and a central stupa surrounded by four smaller religious structures. The complex wraps around a large courtyard built in traditional Newari architectural style with intricate wood and stone carvings throughout.
The monastery traces its origins to the Licchavi period in the 5th century, with most buildings added during the later Malla dynasty. Major renovation work between 2016 and 2017 stabilized the aging structures and restored important architectural details.
The main shrine here honors Sankata, a deity that draws both Hindu and Buddhist visitors seeking protection from misfortune and illness. You will see people leaving flowers and incense throughout the day as they offer prayers for their families and health.
The monastery is reached through a narrow passage across from a Ganesh Shrine near the Nepal Airlines offices in central Kathmandu. The inner courtyard is freely accessible, though steep stairs and low doorways may challenge visitors with mobility concerns.
The site actually combines two separate monasteries that merged over time: Te Bahal and Bandhudatta Bahal became one unified complex. This historical union is visible in the presence of two distinct baha shrines that reflect the blending of two different monastic communities.
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