The Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world and is the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in the valley. It is located 6 km east of the main city centre of Kathmandu. It is also included in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage of mankind monuments. The entry to Bouddhanath Stupa complex is through a gate that leads to a ring of houses whose basements consist of shops and restaurants. The path around the stupa itself is busy with pilgrims circumambulating the stupa and turning prayer wheels with writings of ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’. You can also see pilgrims circumambulating the stupa in a clockwise direction and prostrating along the path. 

The stupa itself is said to contain relics of Kashyapa Buddha, who is said to precede the historic Buddha. It appears that the stupa at the site constructed around the 5^th century was renovated in the 7^th or 8^th century which eventually became the present-day stupa. There is a temple of Harati attached to the north of the stupa. According to Newari legend, Harati or Ajima is the Goddess of smallpox who used to devour children. Buddha persuaded her to give up this habit and she is now protecting the shrine. According to Tibetan legend, the temple is dedicated to Sukhotama Devi who is supposed to have built the stupa. 

Accessibility

There are microbuses and tempos to Bouddhanath from the city centre in Kathmandu. It can also be reached by a taxi ride from Kathmandu’s city centre.

Entrance Fee

Entrance fee is applicable for non-Nepalese visitors