Boudhanath Stupa: The biggest Buddhist stupa in Asia

The Boudhanath Stupa is a magnificent white dome that exudes a vibrant energy. To fully experience its beauty, take a stroll around it during the early morning or at evening. Observe the devout individuals who pass by, lighting candles and offering prayers wherever they desire. You can also browse for souvenirs or simply enjoy a cup of coffee while taking in the stunning view from a nearby rooftop restaurant.

The Boudhanath Stupa, located 8 km east of downtown Kathmandu, is a prominent landmark that can be seen from the Tribhuvan International Airport. It is not only the largest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley, but also in all of Nepal.

Boudhanath Stupa, standing at an impressive height of 36 meters, is considered one of the largest stupas in all of South Asia. It serves as a significant religious site for numerous communities, particularly for those practicing Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The stupa is surrounded by a vibrant and diverse community of believers, making it a central hub for spiritual and cultural activities.

The Boudhanath Stupa was constructed in the shape of a mandala to replicate the Yangtse of Tibet. Originally built in the eighth century by Lichchavi rulers, the stupa's location on an ancient trade route to Tibet made it a popular resting spot for Tibetan shippers who would offer prayers for extended periods of time. Today, the stupa remains a significant religious site for Buddhists and a popular tourist destination.

The Boudhanath Stupa is a sacred site in Nepal, adorned with pairs of all-seeing eyes on each side, symbolizing awareness. The stupa's shade is divided into 13 phases, and at ground level, there is a block divider featuring 147 specialties and 108 images of the meditational Buddha, inset behind copper prayer wheels. This magnificent structure is a testament to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Nepal.

History of Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa has a rich history dating back to the 7th century AD. It was built after the Tibetan ruler, Songtsen Gampo, converted to Buddhism. The stupa is considered one of the most beautiful and well-proportioned in Nepal, with a white-washed dome and a gilded pinnacle adorned with the Buddha's all-seeing eyes. Visitors can join the local Tibetan community in their daily koras, or circumambulations, around the stupa for a truly immersive experience.

Legend has it that the ruler who built Boudhanath Stupa did so as a form of repentance for accidentally killing his father. However, the original stupa was destroyed by Mughal invaders in the 14th century, leading to the construction of the much larger and more elaborate stupa that stands today.

The stupa's construction is deeply symbolic, representing the Buddha's path to enlightenment through the elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether. The tower's 13 levels also represent the stages one must go through to achieve nirvana. The stupa has been a place of pilgrimage and worship for Buddhists for centuries and continues to be a significant spiritual site today.

The stupa was originally built to house holy relics, and some believe that it contains relics of past Buddhas, including Kashyapa and Siddhartha Gautama. The base of the stupa is adorned with 108 images of the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha, a significant number in Tibetan culture, and surrounded by 147 niches containing prayer wheels. Over time, Boudhanath Stupa has become a symbol of peace and enlightenment for Buddhists worldwide.

The Bouddhanath Stupa

Interesting facts about Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath (likewise called Boudha, or the Khāsa Caitya) is a stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal.
It is known as Khāsti in Nepal Bhasa, Jyarung Khashor in Tibetan dialect or as Buddha by speakers of Nepali.
Stupas are basic to Buddhism as the cross is to Christianity, a substantial image of the Buddha's edified personality.
All things considered, the main stupa was constructed sometime after 600 AD, after the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, was changed over to Buddhism by his two spouses. The present stupa structure was most likely form after the ravaging of the Mughal trespassers in the fourteenth century.
After the arrival of thousands of Tibetans following the 1959 Chinese intrusion, the sanctuary has turned out to be a standout amongst the most vital focuses of Tibetan Buddhism.
The deluge of expansive populaces of displaced people from Tibet has seen the development of more than 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath.
Boudhanath is the holiest Tibetan Buddhist sanctuary outside Tibet.
With a width surpassing 100 meters (328 feet) and one end to the other length generally rising to a football field, Boudhanath is among the biggest stupa on the planet and absolutely the greatest in Nepal.
The old Stupa is 36 meters over the road and rules the horizon.
The shape and the substituted squares and circles speak to a three-dimensional mandala, which is included conceptual religious ideas. Each part has representative centrality: the base, dome, square harmika, spire, and represent five different elements.

Things to See in Boudhanath Stupa

The spire of the Boudha Stupa might be under fix, yet there are such great things to see and do around the Stupa. Every one of the shops is open, there are extraordinary bistros and eateries and you can watch the world pass by from a coffeehouse or any place around the stupa kora (walk). Also, if you are fortunate, you will get to see a heavenly prayer function (puja) at the base of the stupa where you can see old customs, for example, the Newari ministers playing out a petition service (Tara puja) for world harmony.

The entire territory is a captivating world in itself and demonstrates the flexibility of the neighborhood Nepali individuals how life proceeds on every day a year after the shakes. One of the exceptionally extraordinary places in Kathmandu to visit and can without much of a stretch take an entire day when you additionally visit the encompassing religious communities.

Conclusion

A visit to Bouddhanath Stupa is included in Kathmandu half day tour, Kathmandu day tour, Glimpse of Nepal Tour, Taste of Nepal Tour and in most of the trekking itinerary in Nepal.

Boudhanath Stupa