One of the most significant historic structures in Dattatreya Square (Tachapal Tole), Bhaktapur, is Pujari Math. The Math, which is next to the Dattatreya Temple, was originally related to the Mahanta, the priest in charge of overseeing the temple’s religious operations. According to historical accounts, it is among the Kathmandu Valley‘s oldest mathas.
History
According to conventional wisdom, Gosain Gurubaksha Giri, a wealthy and austere Hindu trader connected to the India-Nepal-Tibet trading route, laid the groundwork for Pujari Math. The Mahanta of Dattatreya Temple‘s dwelling and administrative hub was the Math. Later on, it was dubbed Pir Math and was considered the “founder Math” that served as the model for other mathas in Bhaktapur.
Over the ages, the structure was altered and restored. The 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake severely damaged it, but it was later repaired in the early 1970s thanks to a substantial conservation effort between Nepal and Germany. This restoration turned into a significant turning point in the methodical preservation of Bhaktapur’s old buildings.
Peacock Window — Mhaykhā Jhyā
The beautifully carved Peacock Window, known locally as Mhaykhā Jhyā, is Pujari Math‘s most well-known feature. One of the best specimens of traditional Newar woodcarving in the Kathmandu Valley is the window.
Numerous carved windows, doors, pillars, and other wooden elements can be found throughout the Math. Its lavishly painted façade, courtyards, and brick-and-timber construction showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional Bhaktapur architecture.
Museum of Woodcarving
Examples of Nepal’s traditional woodcarving legacy are preserved and on exhibit at the Woodcarving Museum, which is affiliated with the old Pujari Math complex. As a result, the structure gives guests a chance to examine both the artistic traditions of Newar craftsmen and the architecture of a historic Math.
Why Go to Pujari Math?
Pujari Math is particularly worthwhile because
- The well-known Peacock Window (Mhaykhā Jhyā)
- Traditional Newar woodcarving that is intricate
- Brick and timber architecture from the past
- Its relationship to the Dattatreya Temple
- The Museum of Woodcarving
- Its significance in the matha heritage of Bhaktapur‘s history
Dattatreya Square is one of Bhaktapur’s best places to discover ancient Newar architecture and workmanship, Pujari Math, Dattatreya Temple, Brass & Bronze Museum, Bhimsen Temple, and other historic mathas.
