Jyo Temple

NEPAL, Patan

The Sanskrit name for this temple is Rudradeva Nangapala Samskarita Jyoti Mahavihara. It is believed to have been founded by Rudradeva Nangapala, but the exact year of its construction is unknown. A chronicle suggests that it was built by Siddhi Narasimha (reigned 1619–1661) during the Malla dynasty. The main shrine was recently reconstructed.
The temple consists of a courtyard and main shrine. The entrance to the shrine is guarded by two stone lions. There is a metal railing around the porch and a giant bell dated 1875 in the corner of the portico.
The doorway to the shrine is carved and a wooden tympanum is placed above it. The tympanum is of an unusual design, with makaras in the outer circle instead of rising nagas. The three central figures, which are Aksobhya Buddha as well as Prajnaparamita and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattvas, are in reverse order from the conventional layout, with the left-right positions of the two Bodhisattvas switched. Above these figures there are images of the Five Dhyani Buddhas forming an arc, with Vajrasattva at the top.
On either side of the doorway there are statues of Sariputra and Maudgalyayana, each about 1 meter high. On the facade of the second story there are three windows, above which there is a frieze consisting of a row of Buddhas. The eave is supported by four delicately carved struts. In the center of the roof ridge there is a small cupola in the form of an inverted trapezoid, surmounted by a stupa. The main statue inside the shrine is that of Aksobhya Buddha facing north. In the courtyard there are one stone Dharmadhatu mandala and four small stone stupas, one of which is in Licchavi style.