LIGHT OFFERING AT MAHABUDDHA TEMPLE PATAN - KATHMANDU, NEPAL Mahabuddha temple is dedicated to Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. Its construction was initiated by priest Abhaya Raj of Patan and a member of the Uku Baha monastery (of which the Mahabuddha is now a branch). The temple is often called "the temple of a thousand Buddhas" because a Buddha image is engraved on every brick. Its sikhara is modeled on the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya, India which Abhaya Raj visited and wished to e