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Baha (Nepal Bhasa:बहाः) is a type of
courtyard A courtyard or court is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky. Courtyards are common elements in both Western and Eastern building patterns and have been used by both ancient and contemporary ...
found amongst
Newar Newar (; new, नेवार, endonym: Newa; new, नेवा, Pracalit script:) or Nepami, are the historical inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley and its surrounding areas in Nepal and the creators of its historic heritage and civilisation ...
communities in
Nepal Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne, सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is ma ...
. It is the most dominant type of courtyard in Newari Architecture. Baha is a term for
Buddhist Monastery Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and g ...
and derives its name from a Sanskrit word Bihara, meaning joy or enchantment and thus is a place of religious bliss.Bahals of The Kathmandu Valley - Sudarsan Raj Tiwari


Characteristics

The characteristics of a Baha are:- * A square or rectangular space bounded by buildings in all sides * Surrounding buildings built on a raised platform called Falcha * Ground paved with brick or stone * Generally centrally placed
Chaitya A chaitya, chaitya hall, chaitya-griha, (Sanskrit:''Caitya''; Pāli: '' Cetiya'') refers to a shrine, sanctuary, temple or prayer hall in Indian religions. The term is most common in Buddhism, where it refers to a space with a stupa and a rounded ...
* Often presence of a well * The building opposite to the main entrance generally houses a
Guthi Gosthi or Guthi ('';'' Newar: , romanized: '; etymologically from ) is a social organization that maintains the socio-economic order of Nepalese society.Title:नेपाली संस्कृतिका छटाहरु, Author:Mangala De ...
with idols of deities in the ground floor


Significance

The baha are generally constructed by a family and their descendants reside in it for generations. Hence, it is not just a unit of residence but also a unit of kinship. The Guthis of Newars have their basis on Baha. So, they play a great role in maintaining the norms of Newari society and lifestyle.


Some Baha

* Bhagwan Baha Thabahi (Thamel Tole) * Makhan baha * Sabal Baha * Tacchya Baha * Te Bahal * Mu Baha * Musya Baha *
Nagbahal Nagbahal is located in the heart of the city of Lalitpur in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Nagbahal was originally a Buddhist monastery, but the original buildings are now gone. What is left is a large courtyard or park. In spite of that, this b ...
* Kwa Baha * Itum baha * Jana bahal (Machhendra baha) * Om Baha * Iku Baha * Kunsha Baha (Kohsha Baha) * Tukabaha * Okubaha * Na Baha


See also

*
Buddhism in Nepal Buddhism in Nepal started spreading since the reign of Ashoka through Indian and Tibetan missionaries. The Kiratas were the first people in Nepal who embraced Gautama Buddha’s teachings, followed by the Licchavis and Newar people. Buddha was ...
*
Kindo Baha Kindo Baha ( new, किन्द्व: बहा:), also known as Kinnu Bāhā, Kindol Bāhāl or Kimdol Bāhāl, is a vihara in Kathmandu which was the hub for the resurgence of Theravada Buddhism in Nepal from the 1920s to the 1940s. Loca ...
*
List of Mahaviharas of Newar Buddhism Newar Buddhism is one of the branches of Buddhism. One of the major elements of this branch of Buddhism is ''Mahavihara'' (महाबिहार) or ''Baha'' or great monastery. These monasteries have served as centers of learning in Newar Budd ...
*
List of monasteries in Nepal This is a list of Buddhist monasteries in Nepal. They are also called Gumba or Gompa in the local language. Newars call it Bihars; see the List of Mahaviharas of Newar Buddhism. For list of buddhist stupas, see List of stupas in Nepal References ...
*
List of stupas in Nepal Stupas in Nepal date back to the Licchavi period; a stupa is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics (such as ''śarīra'' – typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns) that is used as a place of meditation. Swayambhunat ...
*
Newar Buddhism Newar Buddhism is the form of Vajrayana Buddhism practiced by the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It has developed unique socio-religious elements, which include a non-monastic Buddhist society based on the Newar caste system and ...
* Newari Architecture *
Pranidhipurna Mahavihar Pranidhipurna Mahavihar ( ne, प्रणिधिपूर्ण महाविहार) is a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Balambu, Kathmandu which was a key base in the revival of Theravada Buddhism in Nepal in the 1940s. Informally known ...


References

{{Reflist Bahals in Kathmandu