BOUDHANATH

Prayer wheels around the stupa

'Boudhanath' (also called 'Bodhnath' or 'Baudhanath' or the KhÄsa Caitya) is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the area of Kathmandu, Nepal. It is located 7 m from the centre of Kathmandu, Nepal on the northeastern outskirts of the city. Its platform is a massive mandala and it is the largest spherical stupa in Nepal.[1]
The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of Tibetan refugees from China has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. Boudhanath is one of the 10 sites in Nepal listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Along with Swayambhunath, to the western side of the city centre, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Kathmandu city.
The Stupa is located in the area of ancient trade route to Tibet where Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath.The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyap sage venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus.

Contents
History
Gallery
Footnotes
References
External links

History


The ''GopÄlarÄjavaṃśÄvalÄ«'' says it was founded by king Åšivadeva (c. 590-604 CE), though another chronicle dates it to the reign of King MÄnadeva (464-505 CE).[2]

Gallery



Footnotes


1. Fables of Boudhanath and Changunarayan

2. Shaha, Rishikesh. ''Ancient and Medieval Nepal''. (1992), p. 123. Manohar Publications, New Delhi. ISBN 81-85425-69-8.

References



★ ''The Legend of the Great Stupa and The Life Story of the Lotus Born Guru''. Keith Dowman. (1973). Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center. Dharma Books. Berkeley, California.

★ ''Psycho-cosmic Symbolism of the Buddhist StÅ«pa''. Lama Anagarika Govinda. (1976) Dharma Books. Berkeley, California. ISBN 0-913546-35-6; ISBN 0-913546-36-4 (pbk).

External links



★ Boudhanath Stupa info on WelcomeNepal site

★ Stupa photos

★ Fables of Boudhanath and Changunarayan

★ Nepal's Boudhanath Buddhist stupa to be renovated

★ Bodhnath Stupa: Boudhanath Virtual Tourist web-site

★ Images from Bodnath

★ Boudhanath Stupa and other interesting places to visit in Neapl

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