At the center of the square is a well and, next to it, a temple dedicated to Ratneswara Mahadev (Shiva). This twin roofed temple, which dates back to the 17th
century, was being renovated in the winter of 1997-98. Behind the temple is a rundown structure with some small carved windows on the first floor.
Significance, is all that remains of the House of Gayahbajya, a renowned tantrik (a practitioner of the rituals of tantra) who lived here in the late 16th
century. With the powers that he derived from meditation, Gayahbajya performed amazing miracles that are remembered to this day.
The northern half of Gyahbajay’s house was pulled down in late 1996 to make way for a modern building, but enough of it is left standing to maintain a link
with the past. The house is presently occupied by the direct descendants of the tantrik, whose family name is Rajupadhya. Gayahbajya’s room has been kept in
its orginal state..
To the south of the temple, the building with intricately carved wooden windows the agam which houses the shrine of the Sulima Rajupadhyas, who are Newar
Brahmins. An agam, which houses a monastery, is the central building of most of Patan’s courtyards. Aground-floor shrine is generally dedicated to the upper
floor has a room for tantrik rituals.
Looking around Sulima Square, you will notice a mixture of old architecture-the mud-brick and tile-roofed townhouse and modern buildings of cement and
concrete beam. This is representative of a transition that is taking place all over the city, as many residents opt for the convenience of modern materials
over the beauty and dignity of traditional ones. Gayahbajya, too, might not have liked all that modernization has brought to Patan.
