There’s something magical about Boudhanath Stupa. Truly.
When you think of a stupa, what comes to your mind? A dome-shaped structure with multiple stories, right? Well, that’s not the case. A stupa is a mound or volume of the earth with a smaller chamber inside it. It’s not just the appearance that makes Boudhanath Stupa different from others, but also the history, culture, and rituals associated with this sacred place. If you are planning a trip to Nepal anytime soon and want to know more about Boudhanath Stupa, keep reading.
According to Buddhist tradition, it is thought to have been built in the late 6th century by a king of the Nepalese Licchavi Kingdom and was enlarged and expanded upon later, most likely in the 14th century, and is made of copper and covered in gold. Boudha Stupa was listed on the world heritage list by UNESCO in 1979 A.D and it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Kathmandu. The stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. The other smaller stupas around Boudhanath are called chortens, which are made of earth. It is one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Nepal. Imposing stature, ever fluffing prayers flag and the peace and spiritual calmness emitted by the stupa are unexplainable.
Buddhists visit the stupa in Boudhanath to pay their respects to the Buddha and to do rituals to get what they want. To do this, they walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction. Be it morning or evening stroll, the devotees are always present for “Kora “a traditional holy walk around the stupa clockwise enchanting Om Mani Padme Hung. Thousands of butter lamps are lighted and prayers are sent. The buzzing chants of lamas around the stupa emits spiritual calmness. Revered by many Buddhists it is one of the most important holy places that carries the significance of Buddhism. While visiting the Boudhanath Stupa, you should know that you should not touch the stupa because it is considered an act of disrespect. You should also avoid taking photos while you are inside the stupa because it is considered disrespectful to the religion.
The Boudhanath Stupa is important for a lot of reasons. First, it is the most important stupa in the world. It is also the most important religious site for Buddhists in Nepal. Furthermore, it is one of the most important sites for Tibetan Buddhists. It also represents their rich cultural heritage that has remained intact for centuries. Apart from visiting the stupa, you can also offer prayers, incense, and food. The stupa is surrounded by a wall. There are openings in the wall where you can place your offerings. You can also use the smaller stupas around the Boudhanath Stupa to offer your prayers. If you want to offer incense, you can light it in a special burner that is located near the stupa. When you offer food, you can offer grains to the pigeons.
The Boudhanath Stupa is a unique structure that is different from others because of its history and culture. Furthermore, it is important because it is the most important site for Buddhists in Nepal. It represents our rich cultural heritage that has remained intact for centuries. If you ever find yourself in Nepal, make sure to visit this sacred place. You will feel the spiritual energy here and learn more about the Buddhist religion.
