Traditional 108 Avalokiteshwor art
Two collections of images representing 108 manifestations of Lokeshwor are housed in the magnificent two-tiered temple of Janabahā Dyo.
1) One set of Paubha paintings is secured behind glass frames placed inside the temple to the north, west, and south sides of the first floor. Siddhi Muni Shakya from Itumbahaa in Kathmandu created the hand paintings while following rigorous tantric rituals including meditating & purification of his body and soul before working on his artworks everyday. This art creates a new age in the traditional Paubha painting form by introducing three dimensional features.
2) The temple is also adorned with a series of gilded copper plates with carvings of the 108 forms of Lokeshwor. This art form is known as formis repousse (a French word meaning “push up”), where a metal sheet is hammered from the back to get a fine shape in the front,
It took 10 years to be completed by the late Patan artist Bhim Shakya. We can find all 108 manifestations of Lokeshwor, each with their respective names and below it with the donor’s name, inscribed at the north, west and south sides outside the circle of the temple.
