The Kumari (Living Goddess) of Hakha Bahal : by Dr. Indra Kumari Bajracharya

Almost 1100 years ago, there was a Licchavi King named Lakshmi Kamadeva. At that time, there was a place called Hwokhu in Patan. There is a very interesting story about the establishment of this Vihara. One night, the King saw a jewel in Hwokhu in his dream. So, he established a Vihara (monastery) named Shree Lakshim Kamadeva Samskarita Ratnakar Mahavihara exactly at the same place. It is also noteworthy that a daughter one of the Sangha members established the tradition of Kumari or the virgin worship. At present, there is still the tradition of a living Kumari in Hakha bahal, one of the famous Vajrayana Buddhist monastery in Patan. The present site of the bahal is different to the original place where Hatko baha or the Hakha baha was situated. The historians are of opinion that the place should be Lunjhya (golden window) of Mangal Bazar or the palace of King Siddhi Narshingha Malla. In N.S 740 (A.D 1620), King Siddhi Narsingha Malla expanded the palace complex. Therefore, the monastic structure was pulled down and then rebuilt at the present site. The reason behind this was to secure a place for the extension of palace complex. He placed an images of Siddhi Ganesh and Narsingha at the corner and extended the palace complex. These buildings and images are still standing at the Patan palace complex. There are many versions regarding the original place of Hakha bahal. The fact that there is Hakha and Hauga tole near Patan palace supports it. These places are certainly named after Hakha bahal. But there is no any other place etymologically named after the Vihara which further givies impetus to the original location of the sacred structure. The Newari term khu denotes to river. Even it is said that there was a small stream called Hawkhusi in front of the palace. Therefore, the name of the Vihara itself is related to that river. This fact is further supported by the term Hakhachikala (literally: reached Hawkhusi) that is pronounced collectively during the Matsendranath chariot festival at Mangal Bazar when the chariot of Avalokitesvara (Matsendranath) reaches to the palace area during the festival. This obviously means that it has reached the place. But at present, there is no any stream. During Gumla Dharma in the month of July, a three feet stone image of the Buddha is displayed immersed in water in front of the golden gate of Patan palace complex. The local people worship and venerate the image. The statue, which is displayed at the palace, is said originally belonged to Hatko baha. This display ritual also proves that the ancient site of the baha was within the palace area. Wright's chronology also mentioned the name of this baha. There is a legend that the grandfather of Lakshmi Kamadeva acquired so much wealth with the help of the Kumari. Later, he arranged puja of Kumari for the first time at Patan palace complex. He also erected an image of Kumari.