Boudanath

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Boudanath:The Heart of Buddhism in Nepal

Om Mani Padme Om, Om Mani Padme Om, Om Mani Padme Om. This is Boudanath's deep noted and constant mantra that drones in human stereo as you venture into Nepal's heart of local Bhuddism. As the biggest stupa in Nepal, Boudanath dominates the Kathmandu skyline pulling a large population under its wings including Tibetan refugees who fled from China in the '50s and huddled close to their place of worship. What an explosion of colour they bring as dressed in their traditional Tibetan costumes, they vend their goods or do circumambulations around the stupa.

Since that time the Tibetans fled to this area, Boudanath has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) and has become a little Tibet of shops and restaurants filled with crafts to delight the eye and lighten the pocketbook.

To protect the sacredness of this holy place and some of its serenity, the management committee of the Stupa passed an ordinance forbidding the vendors form plying their trade on the path where the worshippers walk in an endless circle around the main building, spinning prayer wheels as they move. In our visits, the place there has a sense of hustle and bustle, but no intrusiveness of the classic temple with beggars and sun glass wallahs. And there is a peacefulness that comes from the rhythm of the endless "Om Mani Padme Om" drone as an undertone to all activity.

Buddhist Chants

For your meditation

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The daily events in Boudanath

Have a peek at the daily life in Boudanath

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Or Buddhist holy places?

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Boudanath is the biggest stupa in Nepal

What is a stupa?

Originally, a stupa was a simple mound of mud or clay to cover relics of the Buddha. But today, these monuments have become big centers of prayer for the committed. Of the really old stupas still intact today, most are believed to contain relics of the Buddha and the belief can make it true to the believer. When a great Buddhist teacher passes away, the belief is that his mind dwells in that spot forever in an unchanging way and Buddhists erect a stupa in his honor. These stupas eventually became lively centers of worship.

Boudanath on Video

Boudanath is in constant chant

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Boudanath contains the Sacred Remains of Kasyapa, the Sage

An Ancient Stupa

In 1979, Boudanath was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. But this stupa was already popular to ancient Tibetan merchants who rested and worshipped here. Said to contain the remains of Kasyapa, an old sage venerable not only to Buddhists but Hindus, it already attracted many visitors even then.

Some objects of Buddhism

Boudanath is the center of Buddhism in Nepal

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The Legend of the Boudanath Stupa

Ja Rung Kashol Chorten Chenpo

Legend said that after Kasyapa Buddha's demise, a certain old woman, with her four sons, interred this great sage's remains at the spot over which the great mound now stands. She later petitioned the King of the time, and obtained permission to "proceed with" building a tower. As a result of her effort and that of her four sons, the groundwork of the structure was finished. Those who saw it were astonished at the greatness of the scale of the woman's work.

Jealous of her success, the high officials of the country then said that if such a poor old woman was able to complete such, they themselves would have to dedicate a temple as high as a mountain. So they decided to ask the King to disallow the further progress of the work. When the King was approached, his Majesty clearly replied: "I have given this woman my order to proceed with the work. Kings must not eat their words. I cannot undo my orders now." So the tower was finished, and hence its unique name, "Ja Rung Kashol Chorten Chenpo."

Stupas? What are they?

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To know more about Boudanath, here are some books

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Boudanath on the ancient trade route from Tibet

Boudanath is an earlier foundation than Kathmandu

The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner, passes by Boudnath Stupa to the ancient and smaller stupa of Ca Bahi (often called 'Little Boudnath'). It then turns directly south, heading over the Bagmati river to Patan. As this route bypassed the main city, Kathmandu became a later foundation. Today, this is a very sacred destination for Buddhists. Many Buddhists from all over the world come here for pilgrimage each year.

See more of the daily life in Boudanath

Centered around Buddhism

Boudanath or Bodnath or Baudhanath or the Khasa Caitya

Devnagari is the Nepali term of this holy Buddhist site

Wikipedia introduces this place as Boudhanath (Devnagari) (also called Bouddhanath, Bodhnath or Baudhanath or the Khasa Caitya) is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is known as Khasti by Newars as Bauddha or Bodh-nath by modern speakers of Nepali. Located about 11 km (7 miles) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.

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What are world heritage sites?

Boudanath is a world heritage site

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.



To know more about this, follow the link below.

The link to the UNESCO world heritage site

Know more about world heritage sites like Boudanath

World Heritage Centre - World Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Centre

What other world heritage sites do you know of?

List and vote for these sites here

There are many World Heritage Sites in the UNESCO list. Let's fill up the list.

Boudanath, Nepal

1 point

Bhaktapur, Nepal

1 point

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

1 point

Changu Narayan, Nepal

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Patan, Nepal

0 points

Kathmandu Durbar Square

0 points

Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal

0 points

Swayambunath Temple, Nepal

0 points

Melaka, Malaysia

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Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

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Dorset and East Devon Coast, UK

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Preah Vihear Temple, Cambodia

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World heritage sites

What we can get on auction on the world heritage sites

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Other Lenses on World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu

Boudanath is one. Read the other 6.

Kathmandu is one place that can claim several world heritage sites.
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Want to visit Boudanath?

Here are guides for you

Here are guides for your travel to Nepal. Boudanath, of course, would be in your list.
How to be a Better Stupa Visitor
Ignorance may be bliss but not only is it bovine, it truly limits enjoyment of new things. So, here is a Stupa primer to help you out a bit in Asia's Buddhist countries. First of all, you do not have to be a Buddhist to get a feeling for Stupas or to experience a linking with these holy places.
How to Visit the Kathmandu Valley
Situated in the heart of the Himalayas, the Kathmandu Valley is home to Nepal's three most visited cities: Kantipur or Kathmandu, Nepal'­s capital city, Lalitpur or Patan and Bhaktapur. Kathmandu Valley has an amazingly rich history that still surrounds you today.
How to Trek the Himalayas
Oh yes you can! This is one of life's great experiences right in there with seeing the arctic and snorkeling in the Maldives. The Himalayas extends about 2500 kilometers with the Brahmaputra (Assam) in the east and the Indus River in the west demarcating its length.

What's the latest on Boudanath?

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There's always something happening here as this has been an important center for the Buddhists who moved out from their land and sought refuge here.
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Boudanath is the heart of Buddhism in Nepal

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The Buddhist Center in Nepal

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Love to hear from you

  • ottnepal Mar 30, 2012 @ 2:28 am | delete
    Very nice lens.
    Have you been to Nepal?
  • ShirlW Nov 12, 2010 @ 9:40 am | delete
    It's always a pleasure to visit one of your lenses and this one is no exception. This makes me want to go travel the world today!
  • SereneSea Nov 12, 2010 @ 2:44 am | delete
    I might plan a visit to Boudanath if I ever land in Nepal.
  • VickiSims Oct 24, 2010 @ 10:49 pm | delete
    I must confess before reading your lens that I new virually nothing about Buddhism. Very interesting stories and information and beautiful photos.
  • nort43 Oct 3, 2010 @ 9:25 pm | delete
    THose eyes at the top of the temple seem to follow me as I walk. Great lens

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My Journey Across Cultures

In Nepal

I was really amazed at how much cultural treasure Nepal had to offer other than the stunning peaks of the Himalayas. And Kathmandu is a treasrue trove.
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Know Buddhism Better

Boudanath is the center of Buddhism in Nepal

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Medicine Buddha - Healer Statue Tibetan Buddhism Antique Bronze Finish with Hand-painted Color Accents Standard

Medicine Buddha - Healer Statue Tibetan Buddhism Antique Bronze Finish with Hand-painted Color Accents Standard

MEDICINE BUDDHA 6 Inches H X 4.5 Long X 3 Inches Wide more...0 points

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This magnificent statue is a superb representation more...0 points

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This magnificent statue is a superb representation more...0 points

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