Boudhanath (also known as Boudha Stupa) is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It is the centre of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich is Buddhist symbolism. It is located east/northeast of Kathmandu and homes to one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, built during the 5th century. In 1979, Boudha became a UNESCO world heritage site.
Detail: Visit Boudhinathstupa.org.
Please View Boudhinath map
Swayambhunath Overview
Address- Swayambhunath, Kathmandu-44620, Nepal
Timings- All days of the week
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Entry fee- NPR 200 Per Person
Visit duration- 2 to 3 hours
Popular for- God lovers, Nirvana seekers, Nature lovers, Photo fanatics, Wanderers
What to see at Boudhanath stupas
Bodhnath stupa looks like a giant manddla or diagram of the Buddhist cosmos. And as in all Tibeten mandalas, four of the Dhyani Buddhas mark the cardinal points, with the fifth, vairocana, enshrined in the center (in white hemisphere of the stupa). The five Buddhas also personify the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether), which are represented in the stupa's architecture.
There are other symbolic numbers here as well, the nine levels of Boudhanath stupa represent the mythical Mt. Meru center of the cosmos, and the 13 rings from the base to the pinnacle symbolize the path to enlightment, or "Bodhi"- hence the stupa's name.
At the bottom, the stupa is surrounded by on irregular 16-sided wall, with frescoes in the niches. In addition to the Five Dhyani Buddhas, Boudhanath stupa is closely associated with the Bodhisattva Avalokitessvara (padmapani), whose 108 forms are depicted in sculptures around the base. The mantra of Avalokiteshvara Om Mani Padme Hum-is carved on the prayer wheels besides the images of Avalokiteshvara around the base of the stupa.
The base of the stupa consists of three large platforms, decreasing in size. These platforms symbolize earth.
Next come two circular plinths supporting the hemisphere of the stupa symbolizing water. As at swyambhunath, Boudhanath is topped with a square tower bearing the omnipresent. Boudha eyes on all four sides.
Instead of a nose is a question-mark-type symbol that is actually the Nepal character for the number 1, synbolizing unity and the one way to reach enlightenment-through the Buddha's teachings. Above this is the third eye, synbolizing the wisdom of the Buddha.
The square tower is topped by a pyramid with 13 stupas, representing the ladder to enlightment. The triangle shape is the abstract form for the element of fire. At the top of the tower is a glided canopy, the embodiment of air, with above it glide spire, symbolic of ether and the Buddha Vairocana. Prayer flags tied to the stupa flutter in the wind, carrying mantras and prayers heaven world.
The main entrance to the upper to the upper platform of Bodhnath stupa is on the north side. Here Amoghasiddhi, progenitor of the future Buddha, presides. Below Amoghasiddhi is the Buddha Maitreya, the future Buddha.
Surrounding Boudhanath stupa are the streets and narrow alleys lined with colourful homes, Tibeten Buddhist monasteries, and street vendor.
Festivals and Events
During the festival of Losar (Tibetan New Year) in February or March, Boudhanath hosts the largest celeberation in Nepal.
Things to do around Boudhanath
➧Taragaon Museum is devoted to the documentation of the valley's 19th and 20th century architectural heritage. Home to an ancient urban culture and an extraordinary concentration of elaborate monuments and temples, Kathmandu valley's unique Malla-Era Architecture is a world heritage. The museum is itself housed in restored modernist build in the 1970s. The museum focuses primarily on conserving and documenting the research undertaken by the wave of expatriate artists, architects, photographers, and scholors who have taken to Nepal since the late 1960s.
Located within the Hyatt Regency Hotel Premises, the building was originally the Taragaon Hotel until it closed in 1970. It was designed 45 years by Austrian architecture Carl Pruscha, who was also invoved in Kathmandu's urban planning.
The Taragaon complex includes seven unique arch vaulted brick buildings separated by brick-paved quadrangles. Before it was turned into the hotel, the complex served primarily as a hostel for foreign visitors, scientists and artists who were interested in the cultural wealth of the country and wanted to stay longer in the valley.
Apart from the three buildings that make up the permanent museum collections there is the Bodhisattva Gallery with Newari art, the Pathivara Gallery displaying Thanga Paintings and a contemporary and gallery. The museum also has a cafe and bar with free wi-fi.
➧Boudhisattva Gallery Located in Chaba Hill area of Kathmandu Boudhivasttva Gallery carries the finest museum quality pieces of statues, religious paintings or paubas (Thankas). Carved corals, repousse work in gold
Details: Boudhisattvava Gallery
➧Visit a Monastery There are over twenty of monasterys (Gompas) around Boudhanath that are free to visit.
➧Tmang Gompa remains the most famous and popular.
How to reach Boudhanath
From the Kathmandu airport or from Thamel, take a taxi, if you are coming to see the Boudhanath Stupa, tell the taxi driver that you wish to go to Boudhanath Stupa main gate. There are also a number of local buses and vans that carry passengers in the Kathmandu valley around Ring Road to Chabihill for 15 to 20 rupees. From Chabihill one can take one of the many buses/vans to the 'Boudha Stupa main gate' for 15 rupees, or walk for 20 mi up the Boudha road to stupa.
From the Kathmandu airport or from Thamel, take a taxi, if you are coming to see the Boudhanath Stupa, tell the taxi driver that you wish to go to Boudhanath Stupa main gate. There are also a number of local buses and vans that carry passengers in the Kathmandu valley around Ring Road to Chabihill for 15 to 20 rupees. From Chabihill one can take one of the many buses/vans to the 'Boudha Stupa main gate' for 15 rupees, or walk for 20 mi up the Boudha road to stupa.
↱ Direction to Boudhanath
Accomodations Near Boudhanath
Luxury Hotels
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu featuring a 24-hours desk and a large outdoor swimming pool, the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu is located just 0.8 mi from the famous UNESCO world heritage of Boudhanath Stupa. The Hyatt Regency offers a Spa, a fitness centers and a steam and sauna room. complementing these is a massage centre, a picturesque garden, air conditioned rooms feature heating facilities.
Hotel Tibet International a 3-minute walk from the Boudhanath Stupa, this elegent hotel featuring ornate woodwork and colourful pillars is 2 km from the Pashupatinath Temple. Room feature traditional Tibetan fabrics, vintage photo, antiques and wood floor, all come with free wi-fi, flat screen TVs, minibars and safes, as well as tea and coffee-makers!Budget Hotels
Boudha Innlocated 601m from Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu. The Boudhanath Inn welcome guests with a restaurant and bar. Free private parking is available on site. The Boudhanath inn features free wi-fi throughout the property, there is a 24 hours front desk, a shared kitchen, tour desk, hair dresser's, and gift shop at the property. The hotel also offer car hire.
Green Hotelfeaturing a garden and free wi-fi access available throughout. Each room is equipped with a TV with cable channels and electric kettle. The restaurant serves Indian and Nepalese cuisine, Italian and Chinese cuisine is also available. free wi-fi, airport shuttle, free parking, family rooms, restaurants, room service, bar. Good for couples.
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