BAHAL

The Bahal (also Bahaa) are Nepal’s traditional Buddhist Monastery or Vihar. These days, there are hundreds of monasteries representing various schools of Buddhism in and around Kathmandu valley. But going back to the days of yore, there were mainly two kinds of monasteries known as Bahaa and Bahi. By outlook and activities therein, the Bahals look more important, attractive and active. Most of those monasteries replete with works of arts in view of the metal images and idols, wood carvings and other types of art works like paintings and construction works. There are nearly 300 Bahals, Bahi’s and traditional monastries in the towns and villages of the Kathmandu valley.