Boudhanath

One of the largest Buddhist stupas in

the world

Boudhanath is home to one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, built during the 5th century AD. For centuries, it has been an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists & local Nepalis. It is located on what was a major trade route between Nepal and Tibet. Many traveling merchants used it as a resting place. Throughout its narrow streets, you can see posters of smiling Dalai Lama, Tibetan folk-medicine stores, traditional artisans' workshops, Thangka art studios and restaurants serving everything from yak-cheese to Everest brand beer. Boudhanath Stupa (or Bodnath Stupa) According to legend, Boudhanath Stupa was built during the 5th century AD, by an old poultry woman who asked the king for land to construct a shrine to the Buddha. The king agreed, and offered her as much land as she could cover with the skin of a water buffalo. The woman proceeded to cut a buffalo hide into thin strips, and placed them end to end to form a huge circumference. The king realized that he had been tricked by the old woman, but he adhered to his word, and the stupa was constructed according to these dimensions. The stupa is the most popular site for Buddhists in Nepal, and throughout the day pilgrims can be seen circumambulating clockwise the structure chanting mantras. At the top of the Stupa is a square tower bearing the omnipresent Buddha eyes on all four sides. The stupa is surrounded by an irregular 16-sided wall, with frescoes and candles in the niches. Juniper burns in the surrounding urns.

Thangka

Thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton or silk usually depicting a Buddhist deity scene or madala. Thangka serve as important teaching tools depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas and other deities and bodhisattvas.