Bodhnath Stupa at night, Kathmandu, Nepal

 Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

          Bodhnath (also known as Boudha, pronounced 'Bo-da') is located 7 km East/Northeast of Kathmandu and home to one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, built during the 5th century AD.

          For centuries, Bodhnath has been an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists and local Nepalis. It is located on what was a major trade route between Nepal and Tibet. Many traveling merchants used it as a resting place. It is also a popular tourist site. In 1979, Boudha became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Stupa of Boudhanath is the focal point of the district. There are at least 29 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries & Nunneries) around Boudhanath. The culture is very much Himalayan with a strong presence of Tibetans and Sherpas, as can be evidenced by the number of restaurants selling momos, thukpa and other Tibetan favorites. Many maroon clad Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns can be seen walking around Boudha, especially at the Stupa. As a daily ritual, many people walk three or more times around the stupa while repeating the mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' either quietly or aloud. During the days of & surrounding the full moons, the air is often thick with incense & mantras sung by monks, and the number of people visiting the Stupa increases significantly, along with the intensity of their mantras and prayers. Boudha is a fascinating and very spiritual area. Most of the restaurants & shops are closed by 8 pm.

          There is nowhere quite like Bodhnath. Asia’s largest stupa pulses with life as thousands of pilgrims gather daily to make a kora (ritual circumnavigation) of the dome, beneath the watchful eyes of the Buddha, which gaze out from the gilded central tower. Tibetan monks in maroon robes and with shaved heads wander the prayer flag–decked streets while pilgrims spin prayer wheels and stock up on yak butter and tsampa (roasted barley flour). This is one of the few places in the world where Tibetan Buddhist culture is accessible and unfettered, and the lanes around the stupa are crammed with monasteries and workshops producing butter lamps, ceremonial horns, Tibetan drums, monks’ headgear and the other paraphernalia essential for Tibetan Buddhist life.

          Historically, the stupa was an important staging post on the trade route between Lhasa and Kathmandu, and Tibetan traders would pray here for a safe journey before driving their yaks on to the high passes of the Himalaya. Originally a Tamang settlement, today most of the people living in the village of Boudha (pronounced boe-da) are Tibetan refugees who fled China after 1959. The stupa also attracts many Sherpas, descendants of eastern Tibetans who migrated to the Everest region of Nepal in the 16th century. Many of the monasteries around the stupa have opened their doors to foreign students, so you’ll see plenty of Western dharma students in maroon robes as you stroll around the backstreets.

          The best time to visit Bodhnath is late afternoon, when the group tours head home and elderly exiles stroll down to the stupa to light butter lamps, spin prayer wheels, chant mantras, socialise and stroll clockwise around the monument as part of their daily spiritual workout. Try to visit on the evening of the full moon, when the plaza surrounding the stupa is lit up by thousands of butter lamps.

The Entrance Gate to Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal 

The Boudhanath Stupa is prized by Tibetan Buddhist refugees who have fled their Chinese-occupied homeland on foot through the Himalaya mountains. They are often seen reverently walking in a circle around the stupa's base while twirling "prayer wheels" and chanting.

Circumambulate the stupa (walk clockwise around it). This is the main activity of pilgrims & many tourists too. One lap is approx. 150 meters. At the far side from the main gate entrance it is possible to walk up on to the stupa itself during the daytime.

Ajima Temple : This temple is located to the north of Bodhnath stupa. It is the temple of Goddess Mamo Pukasi who is known as the protector of stupa area. She is also known as wish fulfilling goddess. The lama (priest) perform offering and  praying to goddess Ajima every morning for the welfare of all the sentinent beings.

Circumambulate the stupa (walk clockwise around it). This is the main activity of pilgrims & many tourists too. One lap is approx. 150 meters. At the far side from the main gate entrance it is possible to walk up on to the stupa itself during the daytime.

Circumambulate the stupa (walk clockwise around it). This is the main activity of pilgrims & many tourists too. One lap is approx. 150 meters. At the far side from the main gate entrance it is possible to walk up on to the stupa itself during the daytime.

The prayer wheels at Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

 There are many handicraft stores located all around the stupa. This may be the best place in Nepal for Buddhist and Tibetan related items - statues, prayer flags, Tibetan incense, etc.

 There are many handicraft stores located all around the stupa. This may be the best place in Nepal for Buddhist and Tibetan related items - statues, prayer flags, Tibetan incense, etc.

 There are many handicraft stores located all around the stupa. This may be the best place in Nepal for Buddhist and Tibetan related items - statues, prayer flags, Tibetan incense, etc.

 Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

 Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

 Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

There are many handicraft stores located all around the stupa. This may be the best place in Nepal for Buddhist and Tibetan related items - statues, prayer flags, Tibetan incense, etc.
 

 Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

 Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

          Bodhnath: The Stupa of Bodhnath lies 8km  east of Kathmandu. This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in the world, and the center of Tibetan  Buddhism in the world. It was listed in the UNESCO  World Heritage Monument List in 1979. Entrance fee at Bodhnath for SAARC (South Asian) nationals is Rs.15  and for other foreigners Rs. 50.

 Bodhnath  Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal