One of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Boudhanath Stupa, is present in Kathmandu. This is one of the spherical stupas with a diameter of 100 feet. Fair to say that Boudha is one of the biggest stupas in the world. This particular religious place is famous amongst the Buddhist community, but almost all of the visitors get the feeling of peace and solace when they visit Boudha.
Historical Background of Boudhanath Stupa
Boudha holds one of the oldest Buddhist values. This religious place was built by the Lichhavi King Mandev in the 5th century. The history of the Stupa goes back 1500 years. History also says that the Tibetan refugees who visited Kathmandu in the mid-20th century found the spiritual essence of Tibetan culture in Boudha.
As Boudhanath is the spiritual home to Buddhist people, you will find festivals like Losar (February or March), Buddha Jayanti, Mamla Jatra, and Timal Jatra celebrated at this place.
Origin Story of Boudhanath Stupa
There are an innumerable number of stories when we talk about how Boudhanath was formed. It is well known that Boudha was made by King Mandev. When Kathmandu Valley was suffering from drought, Mandev had to kill a person and sacrifice him to get over the issue. King Vishnu Gupta knew about this and disguised himself to become a demon and be killed by the hands of his son. Later, Mandev knew that he had killed his father and to remorseful and asked for forgiveness, Mandev built the Boudhanath Stupa.
Permit Fees To Visit Boudha Stupa
Being one of the top tourist destinations in Kathmandu, Boudha holds the significance that people love to admire. The unique design, rich history, and the spirituality connected to Boudha make this place special. Talking about the permit fees for a visit to Boudha, Nepalese citizens are allowed to visit the place. Meanwhile, foreign people (travelers) will have to pay NPR 400 while the SAARC nationals NPR 100 to visit Boudha.
Architectural Highlights of Boudhanath Stupa
There is no doubt that the Boudha Stupa architecture is a masterpiece. The spherical rooftop is valuable to Buddhism. You will find prayer flags, statues, prayer wheels, and a peaceful environment around the religious place. You will see the big spherical dome, which is the attraction of Bouddha.
Religiously, this dome is the representative of the universe and the infinite nature of existence. From the limelight to the highlight of the golden yellow pattern, you can sense the purity and tranquility of the place. The four cardinal directions are represented by the square harmika present at the Boudhanath stupa. Not only that, you can also find 13 steps above the harmika, which states that you will have to pass 13 levels if you wish to get enlightenment.
Other than the spherical dome, you will also see the Buddha’s eyes in the Boudha stupa. The eyes are present on the 4 sides of the stupa, which states that Buddha can see the pain and suffering of everyone around him. Similarly, the mandala created in the color of Torana or Dhyani Buddhas is a masterpiece of architecture in the stupa region.
Significance of Boudhanath Stupa
The value and importance of Boudhanath Stupa are different for different groups of people. This particular religious site is known to represent the enlightenment journey of Gautam Buddha. For the local people, Boudhanath is the place for prayer and meditation and it never discriminates against people of any background. There are various festivals that are celebrated at Boudhanath every year.
This particular tourist site attracts millions of visitors every year, which in turn creates economic opportunities for people around. From local to international cuisine and the handicrafts that can be purchased, the economic significance of the place is massive.
How Can You Reach Boudha Stupa?
A lot of the readers who have come this far might be interested to know how they can reach Boudha. Well, there is a simple route that can be taken. If you are at Tribhuvan International Airport, take a taxi that will drop you off at the main entrance. Not only that you can also use the ride-sharing apps, i.e., INDRIVE and PATHAU, that allow for quick and easy access. Local buses and vehicles that run on the Airport Chabhahil-Jorpati route can be taken if you are willing to go to Boudha.
Things To Do Around Boudha Stupa
If you are thinking Boudha is a smaller space and there isn’t much to do, well, you are mistaken. Being a local or an international tourist, you have plenty of things to do that will make your day worthwhile.
The list of things that can be performed around the area of Boudhanath includes:
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Witness the sacred prayer that takes place for world peace.
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Experience the Nepalese and international cuisine at the restaurants present in the place.
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Collect souvenirs for your loved ones from the local shops that highlight the Nepali culture and its beauty.
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Tamang Gompa is the most popular out of the 20 Gompas present in the place.
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Give a visit to the Taragaon museum, which has a collection of Nepalese art, culture and modern lifestyles preserved inside it.
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Click beautiful images in and around the Boudha area with the presence of the spherical monument.
Best Time To Visit Boudhanath Temple
Even though the weather in Kathmandu remains good all around the year, it’s critical to visit Boudhanath at the perfect time. Some of the key reason for that is the full exploration of the place. Months of autumn and spring are perfect for the visit. The weather remains clear, along with fewer tourists and a calm environment. You will also find peaceful prayers being performed at the morning and evening schedules.
Tips and Guide To Visit Boudhanath Stupa
If you are wondering whether some fixed rules need to be followed when you visit Boudhanath, well, you are right. Some of the tips that could be useful for your visit to Boudhanath could be:
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Respect the Culture
Always try to be respectful towards the local culture. Support the local values and understand their importance. Not only that, dress appropriately for the place, and don’t be too explosive as well. Don’t throw waste around and try to remain clean and silent during the visit.
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Walk Clockwise
A lot of tourists in the Boudhanath area are confused about how to walk. Well, always try to walk clockwise like every other religious person. It helps you walk the right distance with everyone else.
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Be a Part of the Place
This could be an interesting observation, but always try and be part of the place rather than being questionable. When the prayers or mantra chants are going on, try and understand them, but do not question why and how things are happening.
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Choose Festivals to Visit
The actual beauty and essence of Boudhanath come forward during the festivals like Lhosar, Buddha Jayanti, etc. Try and plan your visit during these periods so that you can enjoy the true color of the place.
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Carry Extra Cash with an ATM
This could be one of the underrated tips, but try and carry some extra cash during the visit. Even though there are plenty of ATM around the place but the local shops and the old history might be better with cash rather than running to ATMs at the moment.