Boudhanath Stupa is the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal. Boudhanath Stupa is a religious center for Buddhist people which are located centre in Kathmandu. This largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal lies about 8 km to the east of downtown Kathmandu. It located on flat land and encircled by houses & monasteries, where Rinpoches reside. This colossal Stupa is set on concentric ascending terraces in the powerful pattern of a Mandala. Boudhanath Stupa is the center of Tibetan culture in Nepal. The stupa, well known as Khasti, is also known as the World Heritage Site. The 36 meter-high Stupa of Bouddhanath is one of the largest stupas in South Asia. Bouddhanath Stupa, largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal was renovated by Licchavi rulers in the eighth century. The Mandala design in Boudhanath Stupa is a copy of the one in Gyangtse in Tibet. There are more than 45 Buddhist monasteries in the area. The Bouddha Area Preservation & Development Committee runs an information center.
The Boudhanath Stupa is located in the area of ancient trade route to Tibet where Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Boudhanath Stupa. Hence, a complete township has developed around Bouddhanath. The Boudhanath Stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus. Smaller stupas are located at the base. Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and restaurants surround Bouddhanath.
Because of its location and size, it seems much larger than the Swoyambhunath Stupa. This largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal, the same hemi-spherical dome symbolizing the emptiness from which everything emanates. On top of this largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal is the harmika painted on each side with the eyes of the Buddha symbolizing awareness, and above the spire with its 13 stages to the canopy. At ground level there is a brick wall with 147 niches and 108 images of the meditational Buddha inset behind copper prayer wheels. Early morning and evening are the times to visit Bouddha to join the local residents in kora (walking the pilgrim’s circuit, sometimes with Tibetan pilgrims on their hands and knees) Surrounding the stupa there are different monasteries belonging to different Buddhist sects. Many tourists like to visit the Stupa for sightseeing and shopping Tibetans handicrafts. During the full moon, Boudhanath is host to special religious activities.The Boudhanath Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses. The basic feature of this great stupa is very much like that of Swoyambhunath stupa except its finial displaying. It is much bigger than Swoyambhu stupa and lies on the valley floor whereas the former one stands on the hill top. This largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal is said to have been built in the 5th century A. D. The site is considered very much like Mecca for the Tibetan Buddhists and every year tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the Himalayan region visit the Boudhanath Stupa.According to a very popular legend, long time ago the Kingdom of Kathmandu was under a terrifying draught. King Dharma Deva was very worried. An astrologer advised him that only the sacrifice of an ideal man with 32 virtues in front of the dry royal water spout could make rain fall in the country. So the following night he commanded his son to go to the dry water spout inside the royal palace compound at mid night and behead the person shrouded in a white robe without looking at him. The Prince obeyed his father, but, to his great horror he found it was none other than his own father.
Because of its location and size, it seems much larger than the Swoyambhunath Stupa. This largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal, the same hemi-spherical dome symbolizing the emptiness from which everything emanates. On top of this largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal is the harmika painted on each side with the eyes of the Buddha symbolizing awareness, and above the spire with its 13 stages to the canopy. At ground level there is a brick wall with 147 niches and 108 images of the meditational Buddha inset behind copper prayer wheels. Early morning and evening are the times to visit Bouddha to join the local residents in kora (walking the pilgrim’s circuit, sometimes with Tibetan pilgrims on their hands and knees) Surrounding the stupa there are different monasteries belonging to different Buddhist sects. Many tourists like to visit the Stupa for sightseeing and shopping Tibetans handicrafts. During the full moon, Boudhanath is host to special religious activities.The Boudhanath Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses. The basic feature of this great stupa is very much like that of Swoyambhunath stupa except its finial displaying. It is much bigger than Swoyambhu stupa and lies on the valley floor whereas the former one stands on the hill top. This largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal is said to have been built in the 5th century A. D. The site is considered very much like Mecca for the Tibetan Buddhists and every year tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the Himalayan region visit the Boudhanath Stupa.According to a very popular legend, long time ago the Kingdom of Kathmandu was under a terrifying draught. King Dharma Deva was very worried. An astrologer advised him that only the sacrifice of an ideal man with 32 virtues in front of the dry royal water spout could make rain fall in the country. So the following night he commanded his son to go to the dry water spout inside the royal palace compound at mid night and behead the person shrouded in a white robe without looking at him. The Prince obeyed his father, but, to his great horror he found it was none other than his own father.
Many people believe that Boudhanath Stupa was constructed in the fifth century, but definite proof is lacking. The stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage who is venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus. One legend has it that a woman requested a Valley king for the donation of ground required to build a Boudhanath Stupa. She said she needed land covered by one buffalo’s skin and her wish was granted by the King. She cut a buffalo skin into thin strips and circled off a fairly large clearing. The king had no choice but to give her the land.
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