Origin of Kathmandu

Origin of the Kathmandu Valley

If we look back into the antiquity of the Kathmandu Valley, and its physical composition and geographical condition, the contribution of Swayambhu Mahachaitya and Manjushri becomes evident. In ancient times the Kathmandu Valley was Nagadaha, a big lake full of water to the brim with Nagaraja and other Nagas living there. It is surrounded all around by a ring of mountains called Jamacho, Dhinacho, Fucho and Siphucho.
As this Valley was an abode full of natural beauties, it was an enchanting land. Therefore, the saints and sages of the hoary past came to this place accompanied by their disciples and settled here.
In course of time Sri Vipaswri Tathagata of Bandhumati Nagara came to Jatmatrocha (Jamacho) with his team of disciples. He was enamored by the beauty of Nagadaha. The meditated and enhanced his power of thought. Then, he threw the seeds of the unearthly nectar- like Paleswan ( lotus flower) over the Nagadaha. This holy act fell on the Full Moon Day of Lhutipunhi in the spring season. A few years after the Adhisthan (initiation) the seed sprouted on the Full Moon Day of Katinpunhi in Aswin in the autumn and a lotus of thousand petals came forth. The radiance and splendour of Nagadaha increased further. The radiant light of the glittering lotus spread here and there lending mysterious enchantment to the already pleasant environment of Nagadaha.
Due to the radiance of the lotus in the form of mysterious light of Nagadaha Shikhi Tathagata of Arunpuri and Viswabhu Tathagata of Anupama Nagara accompanied by their disciples came to Nagadaha to pay obeisance and see the resplendent lotus. Realizing the things to come in future and with deep contemplation they passed into oblivion in that mysterious light.
In course of time, Guru Mahamanjushri came to the Nepal Valley with his disciples to pay obeissance to Jyotirupa lotus. He then contemplated that it would be better could be transformed into a place of human settlement. He then cut Nhasikapa with his (Chandrahas Khadga) sword and drained out the water of Nagadaha. Thelatter was then made worth inhabitable by human beings and was converted into a land of civilisation. Nepal Mandala (the Kathmandu Valley) came to exist with the help of devotees who came to the valley under the leadership of Mahamanjushri and the inhabitants of hills surrounding the valley. It is because of this deed of Guru Mahamanjushri for the welfare of mankind that Manjushri was given the epithet of Guru, Maha and Jinasiddhi.

Establishment of Vihars, Sanghas
After the Nepal Mandala was established by making it inhabitable, Sahyanga Vihar (Swayambhu Vihar) was constructed in order to facilitate the direct view of the lotus with Swayambhu Jyotirupa and to convey the mysteries of Swayambhu Jyotirupa. This was the first Vihar in the Kathmandu Valley. After the establishment of this Vihar Guru Mahamanjushri introduced a Sangha system and made Gunakara, his disciple, accompanying him, the first Sanghanayaka (leader or head of the Sangha) and also entrusted him the responsibility of maintaining the Vihar. Later, with a view to protecting the land for continuing the auspicious activities uninterruptedly, Dharmakara was appointed king with the title of Chhetradhipati Bhumipati (Governor of the region in charge of the land). The land thus established was named Manjupattan (named after Manjushri) and its capital was named Rajpattan.
After the naming of the valley and its capital, the development in agriculture and settlements, was made for the continuation of the lives of the people of the valley. Arts such as architecture, handicrafts, sculpture were developed to beautify the valley.