Stupas of Kathmandu IV: Cha-bahil 'Dharmadeva' Stupa

Sketch showing the location of the major stupas of the Kathmandu Valley.
Cha-bahil stupa has been highlighted

The stupa plan, grey represents the Lichhavi votive chaityas

Sketch of the stupa

Location of Chabahil Stupa (Courtesy Google Maps)

Believed to have been established by King Dharmadeva (father of King Mandeva - Lichhavi King) around the middle of the 5^th century, this is also known as Dharmadeva stupa and also as Charumati Chaitya by some - the reference being to Charumati, the daughter of the Mauryan Emperor Asoka. Originally, this stupa is believed to have stood at the center of the courtyard of Manju Vihara(around 5th century). Although the vihara in its entirity no longer exists, the main shrine exists even today and can be found towards the south-west of the stupa. During the course of excavations and a series of renovations to the main stupa, several inscriptions dating to the Lichhavi period and a few important stone sculptures dating to the 6^th-8^th centuries have been recovered from this site. During renovation work carried out in February 16, 2003 – lots of antique statues, coins, small stupas, old bricks with inscription dating back to the Asokan period were found within the structure, which were again placed back in their original position after the reconstruction work was completed. It was widely reported that, the newly discovered brick (35.5 X 23 X 7 cm) was inscribed in Brahmi Lipi (script) similar to the inscription on the Asokan pillar at Lumbini. 

The stupa today stands alongside the stretch of ring-road connecting the busy traffic junctions of Gaushala to the south and Cha-bahil chowk to the north. Architecturally, the stupa rests on a one meter tall hemispherical drum (Hiranyagarbha); there is a hermica where eyes are painted on all four sides similar to other stupas in the valley. On the four opposite sides of the hemisphere, four aadibuddhas sit and the fifth one is represented by the eyes on the hermika. At the top, there are 13 steps (square unlike the circular rings of Swayambhu stupa) which are the 13 worlds of Buddhism to Nirvana. The present shape of the dome and the niches may have been designed in the 18^th century, while its finial, with its thirteen tiers; the amalaka ring and the protruding central pillar may have assumed its shape during the 19^th century. Comparatively, this stupa appears to be much simpler than Swayambhu.