HIMALAYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

AFFILIATED TO TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY

CHYASAL, LALITPUR

REPORT ON PUJAHARI MATH

PREPARED BY: ALISHA PRADHAN (073/ B.ARCH/ O1) SUBMITTED TO: ARJUN BASNET

ERICA PRASAIN (073/ B.ARCH/ 04) DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

1|Page
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our special thanks of gratitude to our teacher (Ar. Arjun Basnet) as well
as our Department of Architecture who gave us the golden opportunity to do this wonderful
project on the topic (Pujari Math), which also helped us in doing a lot of Research and we came
to know about so many new things. We are really thankful to them.

Secondly, we would also like to thank our parents and friends who helped us a lot in finalizing
this project within the limited time frame.

2|Page
 CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION Pg. 4
2. THE PUJAHARI MATH Pg. 5
3. HISTORY Pg. 6
4. STRUCTURAL DESCRIPTION pg. 7
5. UTILISATION OF SPACE pg. 8
6. MATERIALS USED AND TECHNOLOGY pg. 9
7. CONSTRUCTION pg. 10
8. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES pg. 11
9. PRESENT CONDOTION pg. 14
10. CONCLUSION pg. 15
11. REFERENCES pg. 16

3|Page
 INTRODUCTION

The Nepali form of the Hindu Priest house or math, is clearly distinct from the free standing
Buddhist monastery which is bound by specific rules such as the form of the square and mainly a
two storey courtyard building. The construction of a math, its orientation and its internal planning
correspond to that of a standard dwelling house.
The head of the math was the “Mahanta”, who, in a monastic environment, gathered students,
sadhus, and gurus around him. The majorities of those coming to shelter or study at the math,
came as pilgrims from the India. The Mahanta was not only highly respected within the math
itself but also in the outside community to the extent that even kings recognized his position and
ministers had to bow before him. Prior to his death the Mahanta chose a successor from the best
scholars whom he himself had taught.
Larger math generally comprise of several smaller house units (ghars), centered, where possible,
on a courtyard. A math has no fixed orientation and it is normally a three-storeyed building. If
space allows, a math is built with a central load bearing wall and the design of the façade
resembles that of a residential house, it is not usual for shrines to be located in any fixed location.
Normally the math is fully integrated into a terrace of houses along a street or overlooking an
open space and may only be recognized by its superior wood carving and more extravagant
decoration. A math consist of several houses, whose size number and arrangement may vary
considerably. According to the requirements and wealth, building sites and houses adjacent to
an existing math were required for expansion and the residential houses were usually
demolished and rebuilt as new wings of the math. Examples of math with the number of houses
of which they consist is listed below:

No. of houses Name of math Location

4 Pujahari math Bhadgaun
2 Bardalighar math Bhadgaun
2 Lokeshwar Mahadev math (Sali Ganesh Bhadgaun
math)
1 Lokeshwar Mahadev math Jitpur
1 Lokeshwar Mahadev math (Takal math) Takal
2 Lompatha math Bansbari
2 Suphaleshvar math Jaling
1 Di math Jaling
2 Buvaneshvar math Panauti

4|Page
 THE PUJAHARI MATH

The Pujahari Math is the largest and probably the most important of all math. The close
association with the important Dattatreya Temple has, from the outset, placed the Pujahari math
in an exceptional position among the math. It is located in the Tachapal Tol of eastern Bhadgaun.
During the middle ages, the Pujahari math was renowned as the centre of Hindu learning.
including the study of Indian and Tibetan herbs and medicine. As a result of its importance and
the attention it attracted, the math became relatively wealthy. The Mahanta were formerly
allowed to manage their property freely, and could spend income as they wished, either for their
personal use or for religious purposes such as festivities, alms, foods and shelter for pilgrims, or
for the construction and maintenance of branch math and other buildings.
Only during the Shivaratri festival, in spring, when thousands of Indian pilgrims visit firstly
Pashupatinath and afterwards the Dattatreya temple, has the math functioned to some extent
in recent times by providing shelter for a number of male pilgrims. Female pilgrims were not
permitted to stay overnight. Sadly, both this and other remaining functions are also disappearing.
However, regular worship at the different shrines within the math is still performed by two
pujaris, who are selected from a group of Brahmans, but they receive no special training.

Pujahari math

5|Page
 HISTORY
Early history of the Pujahari math is recounted in a legend, while later reports concern
themselves with the descriptions of renovations and extensions to the buildings only.
According to one inscription on a stone tablet, it was constructed in the 16th century by
Gosain Guru Baksha Giri, a mendicant monk from Mahuraghar in India, who returned
from a pilgrimage to Tibet with a treasury of money and gold which he devoted to the
construction of numerous temples and monasteries.
Inscription tells Raja Vishwa Malla built three storey temple of Dattatreya Temple and for
daily worship of the deity, he made residence for sannyasis known as a Math. During the
time of Kripala Giri and Loknatha Giri further renovations were done. In 1973, with the
assistance of German Aid, the building was renovated with the deliberate aim of restoring
it to its original condition, while at the same time instituting alterations necessary for the
future use of the building.
Although in its present use as office of the Bhaktapur Development Programme, other
than for the principal room and the shrines, there is now no distinction made between
the former room uses. But the building is now nevertheless serving a useful purpose.

6|Page
 STRUCTURAL DESCRIPTION
Pujahari math consists of a combination of several houses. It comprises of four such houses
grouped around three courtyard.
The small courtyard A at the north eastern corner of the building is the oldest and due to many
repairs and alterations, is the most changed. During the last repairs the staircase to the upper
floor was removes and the stone well was shut off. Court is of artistic value. It is restricted to
enter due to damage cause by earthquake.
Courtyard B, the centre of the math, was probably built at the beginning of the 18 th century and
is the most functional of the courtyards. It is also the most striking artistically, as there is
displayed some of the finest woodcarvings in the windows and the posts to be found anywhere
in the valley. It is not of regular rectangular shape but has a unique shape and has got drainage
facility as well.
Courtyard C is the largest and the most likely the domestic courtyard. Its building are clearly of
most recent origin and are quite plain. Until the most recent renovations in 1973, an open
portico was used as a stable to house cows since it is believed for religious reasons, that at least
one cow should be kept in the math.
The water supply for the puja comes from the well in the courtyard A whereas water for
drinking and washing is obtained from a well in courtyard C. There is no specific latrine.

7|Page
Elevation of pujari math

Section of pujari math

8|Page
 UTILISATION OF SPACE
Space is utilized on the different floors is essentially similar to that of the ordinary dwellings. The
ground floors are used generally as stables, stores or servants’ quarters, guard room as well as
two Shiva shrines and rooms for performing puja and the upper floors are used as grain stores,
guest rooms, meeting halls or bedrooms. The kitchen is located either on the top floor or in the
attic. The façade reveils a symmetrical arrangement of doors and windows with the main door in
the centre of a ground floor and the large window of the living room in the centre of the third
storey.
The first and second floors contains living room, guest rooms and bedrooms and some storage
space, whereas the third floor has a private shrine and kitchen. Central wall of ground floor are
replaced by double row of wooden post which create broad but low hall. The main room of
second floor was assembly of Mahanta.
In the present context, the pujari math is used as a museum for woodcarving for the public. Some
of the rooms are closed but some of the space are open and we can see elaborately carved
windows, wall arts, etc.

Bhairab murti in third floor

Stairs

9|Page
 MATERIALS USED AND TECHNOLOGY
The materials and technologies used in the construction of the math is similar as the construction
of the dwellings at that time. The materials that were used in the construction were:
➢ Timber
➢ Brick
• Kachiaapa
• chikaapa
➢ Tiles
➢ Mud mortar
➢ Brass
➢ Lime

The pujari math is load bearing structure. To minimize the load, the wall in upper floors are
replaced by wooden post creating open and wider space. The wall and ceiling are paneled
and floor is boarded. The ceiling and the walls were apparently once bright painted as traces
of color are still to be seen.
The Dalans (open portico) used as corridors, rest areas, meeting places, stables, guardhouses
and for threshing grain have been paved with smooth square tiles. The shrine, on the other
hand are paved with stone slabs, while all the other room has earthen floors.

Tiles

10 | P a g e
 Construction
The construction of the pujari math has also got similar technique used as for the construction of
the dwellings but has got some unique features and also has used very good type of bricks and
more elaborate carvings of the doors and the windows. All exterior walls (those facing the street
and the courtyards) are constructed of chikaapa, a very smooth, highly polished and sharp edged
brick used on more elaborate buildings. Interior walls are of simple and basic brickwork. All of
the windows, struts, beams, lintels, posts and doors were elaborately carved and were
constructed of timber. The cornice were highly decorated which separate floors.
The ornately carved central door of in the northern part which provide oblique access to
courtyard B. To enable gods and spirit to enter the Math even when door are closed, two narrow
slit balupwas are provided at either side of entrance door. In the case of pujari math, the
balupwas are decorated on the outside with wood carvings. Remaining door serve as decorative.
The walls of the rooms are plastered with a mixture of mud, cow dung and straw which is then
white washed.
The central walls of the ground floors and the first floors of the main buildings is replaced on the
second floor by a double rows of pillars which creates a board but low hall. The walls of the rooms
are plastered with a mixture of mud, cow dung and straw which is then white washed.

Exterior wall made from Chikaapa Houses in the pujari math

11 | P a g e
 Sajhya

Small alley in Dattatreya temple having Peacock window

12 | P a g e
 GAJJHYA

Pillar Front elevation of the pujari math

13 | P a g e
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
The Pujari math has got its own architectural features which has made it famous. Many people
from all around the country come to see the different architectural features which can be seen
in this math and some of the architectural features are described below:
1. Courtyard planning: This math has got courtyard planning system where the three
courtyards are linked with each other. It comprises of four houses grouped around three
courtyards. The central courtyard acts as the focal point or main attraction point as
different styles of architecturally beautiful windows can be viewed from it in all cardinal
directions. All the three courtyards has its own working properties.

2. Windows: The windows are very finely carved and we can observe various styles and
types of windows in the math. Some of the windows are:
• Sajhya : window inclined in certain angle
• Gajhya : window projected from the wall with no inclination
• Tikijhya (aakhi jhya): carved window having hole in it to look the outer place
• Peacock window: it is the most famous window in this place and many people also
visit here to observe the peacock window as it is very beautiful and unique from
all of the other window types.
3. The door is finely and elaborately carved from timber.
4. In one of the room there is paintings of the deities in the walls and ceilings.

14 | P a g e
 Gajhya

Tikijhya (aakhi jhya)

Sajhya

Peacock window

15 | P a g e
 Tikijhya (aakhi jhya)

Peacock window
Door

16 | P a g e
Struts Door of Shiva temple in pujari math

Wall painting

17 | P a g e
 PRESENT CONDITION
In the present context, the pujari math is used as wood art museum for observing various wood
carvings and more. Most of the rooms are closed. Most of the structure are in ruined state and
the room below are neither used nor renovated and hence are in critical condition. Courtyard A
is closed and is being renovated but the courtyard B and C are open for the public. The structure
are not properly renovated and is left unused and in ruined state.

18 | P a g e
 CONCLUSION
Math has its own meaning and features but due to lack of proper attention and care many math
have lost their position in Nepalese Society except Pujari Math. Most of the math are in the state
of repair and no longer occupied by family of the Mahanta. Pujari math is used as wood art
museum but it also has not got the proper care and renovations that it needs. Due to this, the
math is ruining and is in critical condition in most of the places. Math is also one of the type or
feature which can be seen in our country so proper awareness and care should be provided for
the proper renovations and care should be provided to protect these wealth of our country.

19 | P a g e
 REFERENCES
• The Traditional Architecture Of Kathmandu Valley –Wolfgang Korn
• Local People
• Museum Staff
• Seniors

20 | P a g e