Bouddhnath Stupa Nepal

On the northern outskirt of the Kathmandu valley is located a sacred heritage called Bouddhnath. Following the road headed to Sankhu and Sundarijal of Kathmandu, about two kilometers of distance from the ring road on your left side, you come to see a gigantic architecture with magnanimous vigilant eyes staring at you. On the very street of the road opens the path to enter into the historical and religious beauty of the valley. About few steps of walk from the road you come very closer to the zone of divine place which has its own history.  The wheels set up in the wall around the stupa engage almost everyone who visit this magnificent creation. When you spin the wheels coming half of the total stupa, the gate allows you to step up into the first floor of the stupa. The white luminous color painted on the wall of the stupa beams stark by the ray of the sun that you rarely feel comfortable to see with your naked eyes. You may want to circle around before stair into the first floor which will not be the problem at all. While striding around the stupa, the shops with typical Buddhist stuffs like chanting bell, garland, metallic ornaments and photos of deities will enchant and engross you. You shouldn’t be amazed if you see the majority of people in maroon-robes than to the people with normal dress up. The scene of people lying on the floor in prone posture facing the dome is usual scene of this holy abode of God. The yellow dome positioned at the top of the Stupa beams even yellower when the sky is open with rays of sun falling on it. The flags hung from the buildings and poles to the top of stupa offers incredible view for onlookers even though it has very specific religious reason. In the midst of the ramblings sound and crowd of the people so called ancestor of ours will be appeared sitting on the top of wall as well as the place restricted for their lineage (human being). They would not tease you. They would either want you to play with them. If you want to take a photo and observe the beautiful and complete area of the stupa, you may enter into the monasteries situated in the purlieu of the Stupa. Moreover you would also enjoy the glorious view of the Stupa from nearby restaurants run in the roof of the buildings. You would not also get astonished by seeing some of the Hindu deities somewhere around in the locality of Stupa. In Nepal, the most charming part of Buddhism and Hinduism is that they rarely ignore the one another. Nevertheless, the people of any religion can visit the place.  For the Bouddhist pilgrims and people it is one of the most visited places in the world.

Bouddhnath stupa is the largest stupa erected in Asia was severely dilapidated by the mega-earthquake occurred in April, 2014. By the end of the November, 2015, the renovation of the consecrated place was completed. It is one of the greatest reconstructions accomplished after the devastating earth-quake in Nepal. Even though the Bouddhnath has seen many renovation and restoration along with decoration its significance has been increasing day by day because of its historical, cultural, religious and architectural reason.  According to the ancient scriptures, the construction of the Bouddnath dates back during the era of Shakyamuni Bouddha. Once a woman with his four sons from her four different husbands arrived on this land which actually fell on the ancient route to go to Tibet. Crossing the present Bouddhnath area, people would follow the way towards Shankhu and further north to continue their journey to Tibet. The old woman proposed to the King of this kingdom to allow her to set up a stupa. The King accepted her proposal. With strenuous dedication and perseverance she started her ambitious mission by the support of her four sons, other people, elephants, horses, donkeys etc. It is recorded that it took about 7 years to complete this marvelous project to bring into reality. In spite of hurdles and hampers of the locals, the project ultimately received its completion. Since then this place is worshipped as the blessed abode of the Bouddha by Bouddhist followers from around the world. Moreover, people of different religions also pay visit this place with their desire to search knowledge, see the architecture, interact with the followers and enjoy the amazing atmosphere of the arena. The reason may be anything, Bouddhnath would quench your thirst. After thousands of year later the Bouddh Stupa still stands still and high to welcome who visit and offers blessing who seek.

In 1979, Bouddhnath was included in the prestigious category listed by UNESCO as UNESCO World Heritage. The magnitude of the stupa has been heightened by the flock of pilgrims from all around the world to pay visit this place. The Stupa has been ornamented by many monasteries established in the vicinity. At this point of time, this place has been the abode of Tibetan origin people along with Sherpa from northern part of Nepal. The interesting myth connected with circling of the stupa has a reference to an anecdote which says that there was mischievous man living in the vicinity of the area of Bouddhnath. He had a shop which was not running well because of his rude, rough and cranky. When he died he directly was taken into the hell. No sooner had he been thrown the punishment for his sin, Bouddha requested to forgive him. The shock and surprise was erased when Bouddha mentioned his incident when he had circled around the stupa chasing the dog. Coming to the present time, the process of circling around continues with the belief that the sin can be pardoned of entire life once you circle around this stupa. So why to miss the grand opportunity!