Origin and History of Bouddhanath Stupa

Several stories and legends are associated with the origin and history of the Bouddhanath Stupa. One popular legend involves Ma Jhyazima, a widow who wanted to build a shrine to Buddha using her earnings from raising poultry. She asked the king for land to build the shrine, and he agreed, giving her as much land as a buffalo’s skin could cover. Jhyazima cleverly cut the buffalo’s hide into strips, which allowed her to cover a large area. Despite the jealousy of some local wealthy and powerful people, the king kept his promise. Later, Jhyazima’s four sons helped with the construction, and this story remains beloved by locals.

Another story from the Gopal Chronicles tells of Licchavi King Dharmadeva (400 AD). During his reign, a water tap was installed at the site, but no water came out. The king’s astrologers said that the water would only flow if a righteous man was sacrificed. Since no one else seemed worthy, the king told his son, Manadeva, to behead a stranger he would see in the palace at night. Manadeva did as his father asked but was horrified to find that he had just killed his own father. The head fell to Vajra Yogini in Sankhu, where a goddess told Manadeva to let a rooster fly and build a stupa where the rooster landed.

There are also legends about the stupa containing holy relics or burial remains. One story says that a finger of Buddha is buried under the stupa. Although many locals still believe this, the inside of the stupa remains sealed, so it's impossible to confirm.

How to reach Bouddhanath Stupa?

Bouddhanath Stupa’s location is convenient and easily accessible from various parts of Kathmandu Valley. Here are several ways to get to Bouddhanath Stupa from the city center.

By Taxi: 

Many tourists choose taxis to visit the  Bouddhanath Stupa. The fare from Kathmandu's city center to Bouddhanath usually ranges from 400 to 500 NPR. When you get into the taxi, let the driver know you want to be dropped off at the main gate of Bouddhanath Stupa.

By Ride-Sharing Apps: 

In Kathmandu, ride-sharing apps like Pathao and InDrive offer bike and car services. These apps provide a convenient way to travel around the city with clear, fixed fares, so you don’t have to negotiate or deal with unexpected costs.

By Bus: 

You can also take a microbus or regular bus to Bouddhanath. Although this option can be less comfortable due to traffic and congestion, it’s a more adventurous option to get there. Bus fares are around 25-30 NPR. If you’re unsure which bus to take, ask locals or the conductor for guidance just by saying “Bouddha.”

By Walking from Pashupatinath Temple: 

If you’re exploring Pashupatinath Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can enjoy a nice walk of 30-45 minutes from the Pashupatinath Temple to the Bouddhanath Stupa.

Things to do around Boudha

Visit Harati (Ajima) Shrine

The Harati (Ajima) Shrine is a small but significant religious spot near Bouddhanath Stupa. It’s dedicated to Harati, a goddess honored by both Buddhists and Hindus as a protector of children. The shrine often features a statue or image of Harati, shown as a caring, motherly figure. Visitors, especially parents, visit this shrine to pray for their children’s well-being and offer flowers, and incense.

Visit Taragaon museum 

Located near Bouddhanath Stupa, the Taragaon Museum represents the culture and history of the Kathmandu Valley. The museum building itself is unique and hence is a private museum. Inside the museum, you can explore art, artifacts, and exhibits that highlight Nepal's rich cultural heritage. 

Visit Gompas/monasteries

There are several stupas in Nepal and, the Bouddhanath area hosts several Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, also called gompas. These are dwelling places for monks who undertake their studies and engage in prayers. Some of these gompas can be visited to view their fascinating art pieces relating to Buddhism, observe the activities of monks as well as gain insight into Tibetan Buddhist practices. Notable ones include Guru Lhakhang, Jamchen Lhakhang, and Samtenling Gompa.

Shop for souvenirs 

There is no better place than the area surrounding Bouddhanath Stupa for purchasing souvenirs. Shops lined with multiple items showcase true Nepali and Tibetan heritages. You will see colorful prayer flags, musical bowls used during meditations, small statues resembling Buddha, beautiful paintings called tangkas, and lovely necklaces all made by hand. This would help you in financing local craftspeople while still taking a piece of Nepalese culture home.

Restaurants and cafes around Bouddhanath stupa 

There are several cafes and restaurants around Bouddha each offering their distinct tastes and originality. 

• Road House Cafe: Offers a warm ambiance and a diverse menu with woodfired pizzas and pasta.
• Chiya Spot: Serves a variety of teas and snacks like momos, attracting tea lovers.
• La Casita: Provides tasty coffee, fresh bakery items, and brunch options in a relaxed environment.
• Pho 99: Specializes in authentic Vietnamese dishes, with pho as its highlight.
• Café du Temple: Features French-inspired pastries, crepes, pizzas, and gourmet coffee in a classy setting.
• Utpala Café: Offers an affordable vegetarian buffet along with Nepali and Western dishes.
• Ama Bakery: Stands out for its delicious cakes, pastries, and excellent coffee.

Entrance fees for Bouddhanath stupa 

Bouddhanath Stupa has distinct entrance fees depending on one’s nationality. Here is a brief guide to the entrance fees for Bouddhanath Stupa    

• Nepali citizens and children under 10 years old: Free
• Chinese visitors: 400 NPR
• Foreign nationals: 400 NPR
• SAARC nationals : 100 NPR 

Cultural Significance of Bouddhanath Stupa 

Bouddhanath Stupa is a deeply religious cultural site, both locally in Nepal and throughout about the Buddhist community. Among Tibetan Buddhists it is one of the largest places for pilgrimage. This stupa is an attraction for large numbers of devotees visiting for faith practice, rituals, and blessings—therefore, a major spiritual center.

The stupa embodies a way of enlightenment and is the embodiment of all teachings of the Buddha. This building's base, dome, and spire symbolize different facets of Buddhist cosmology and the journey toward Spiritual Enlightenment. With all its constituents, a stupa depicts important principles of Buddhist philosophy and practice.

Bouddhanath is also a significant hub of cultural and religious festivals. The events, including Buddha Jayanti, the birthday of the Buddha, and Losar, the Tibetan New Year, attract large groups of locals, monks, and tourists—the ongoing atmosphere is very vibrant, which helps in building a great community. During these celebrations at the stupa, cultural traditions are preserved and promoted.

One of the largest and most representative stupas, Bouddhanath, presents an epitome of traditional Nepalese and Tibetan architecture. The years of skilled craftsmanship and architectural expertise associated with it exude the rich heritage of this region.

The stupa also acts as a cultural link between Nepal and Tibet, thus drawing visitors globally. This not only attracts more tourists, hence encouraging cultural interchange but also enhances worldwide interest in Tibetan Buddhism. Bouddhanath facilitates bonding and bridging across different groups.

Moreover, Bouddhanath impacts the local economy. The influx of visitors keeps shopkeepers, restaurateurs, and guesthouse owners in business. This economic activity generates employment opportunities for people around it.

The architecture of Bouddha Stupa

A stupa is a dome-shaped monument built by Buddhists to hold sacred relics or mark important events in Buddha's life. The Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal is one of the largest and most legendary stupas across the globe.

The Boudhanath Stupa is about 36 meters (118 feet) high and it has a diameter of 100 meters (328 feet). Its gigantic size makes it an eye-catching landmark of Kathmandu’s cityscape making it visible from several parts of the valley.
The stupa rests on a large circular platform constructed from bricks and earth, covered with a smooth plaster finish. People walk clockwise around this platform during circumambulation.

In addition to this platform, there is a massive white dome which is symbolic of Mother Nature’s womb. This dome assumes a perfect hemispherical shape which signifies pathways to enlightenment. Workers repaint the dome regularly to maintain its pristine appearance.

The dome’s base consists of 108 small niches each having prayer wheels inside it. Thus as people walk around the stupa they spin these wheels sending out prayers into the universe.

Atop the dome sits a square structure called the Harmika, which represents the gateway to heaven. Each of the harmika's four sides displays large eyes, known as the "Eyes of Buddha," which gaze in all directions. These eyes symbolize the Buddha’s all-seeing nature. Above the eyes, a curling symbol resembling a question mark represents unity and the single path to enlightenment.

Above the Harmika, thirteen steps, each adorned with intricate carvings and bright colors, lead upward. These steps symbolize the thirteen stages of spiritual development needed to achieve enlightenment.

The spire at the top consists of thirteen golden disks, stacked in decreasing size. These disks represent the thirteen stages of spiritual realization in Tibetan Buddhism, known as the 13 Bhumis or grounds of enlightenment. The spire concludes with a small golden umbrella, symbolizing protection and honor.

Colorful prayer flags extend from the top of the spire to various points around the stupa. These flags carry prayers and mantras on the wind, spreading blessings to all who come near.

The area surrounding the stupa buzzes with activity. Shops, homes, and monasteries form a circular courtyard, where locals, monks, and pilgrims create a lively atmosphere for worship, shopping, and exploration.

What do different parts of Bouddha stupa mean?

Each part of the stupa has a special meaning, making the entire structure a 3D symbol of Buddhist teachings.

• Base: The wide circular base represents the earth. People walk around Bouddhanath Stupa in a clockwise direction.
• Dome: The large white dome symbolizes the womb of the universe and represents the path to enlightenment.
• Square Tower (Harmika): This structure sits on top of the dome and represents the gate to the heavenly world.
• Eyes: The large eyes painted on all four sides of the square tower are known as the "Eyes of Buddha." They show that Buddha watches in all directions.
•  Nose-like Symbol: Between the eyes is a curling symbol that looks like a nose or question mark. This symbol is the Nepali number one, representing unity and the single path to enlightenment.
• Thirteen Steps: Above the eyes, thirteen steps rise. These steps represent the thirteen stages a person must go through to reach enlightenment.
• Spire: The tapering tower at the top features thirteen golden disks. Each disk represents one of the thirteen levels of understanding in Tibetan Buddhism.
• Umbrella: An umbrella has been placed on the topmost part resembling small gold shields that signify honor and safety.
• Prayer Wheels: Around the base, there are 108 small cylinders with prayers written on them. People spin these wheels as they walk around the stupa.
•  Prayer Flags: Colorful flags stretch from the top of the spire to the base. These flags carry prayers on the wind.

Damage and Conservation Efforts at Bouddhanath Stupa Following the 2015 Earthquake

The 2015 earthquake in Nepal damaged a lot of religious sites, including one of Kathmandu's famous Bouddhanath Stupa. It shook the stupa and created cracks in its structure. The most visible damage seemed to be that of the golden spire at the top, which became tilted and unstable. Some of the decorative elements and religious objects also fell off or were damaged. Although the main body of the stupa remained standing, generally the stability and safety were a matter of concern to the experts.

Following the earthquake in 2015, the local authorities and the heritage experts assessed the Boudhnath Stupa to calculate the damage. This was followed by supports and barriers to avert further damage and to ensure safety. They closed off the area surrounding the stupa to visitors and set up a repair plan.

It was after this that local and international experts teamed up to plan the restoration. They were to repair the damage without losing a single inch of the historical and religious significance of the stupa. The restoration work involved the gradual dismantling of the damaged spire, repairing the cracks in its structure, and rebuilding the top part of the stupa.

The restoration was done using a mixture of traditional methods and modern technology. Original materials were used where possible, although several improvements were made to strengthen the stupa against future earthquakes. Much care was taken in rebuilding the golden spire and repairing or re-creating many decorative elements.

In fact, it was the local Buddhist community and international organizations who played an important role in its restoration, evidenced by the financial and material donations apart from volunteering their services that go to prove the stupa's significance to the people of Nepal and the world over.

The restored Bouddhanath Stupa reopened to the public after months of hard work in November 2016. The restoration worked as a token for the rebirth of Nepal from the earthquake and the resiliency of its people and culture.

Even after the main repairs were over, experts continued to monitor the condition of the stupa. The officials regularly maintain it to shield it from further natural elements and pollution. Some more plans also include upgrading the area around the stupa for the visiting public and providing additional safety features and facilities to enjoy a better experience in its surroundings.

Conclusion 

Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the popular Buddhist sites in Nepal, showcases the country’s rich Buddhist heritage and impressive architecture. As one of the largest spherical stupas in the world, it serves as a key center for Tibetan Buddhist culture. The stupa’s large white dome and the Buddha’s watchful eyes are powerful symbols that attract visitors from around the world. Besides its spiritual role, the stupa is a vibrant cultural spot where pilgrims and tourists can practice their faith, explore local markets, and enjoy a variety of food. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bouddhanath Stupa reflects Nepal’s strong Buddhist traditions and offers a glimpse into Tibetan Buddhism. Its combination of spiritual significance and lively cultural activity makes it a must-visit place in the Kathmandu Valley, where old traditions meet everyday life.