Boudhanath Stupa
The largest stupa in Asia, Boudhanath reflects the Tibetan lifestyle at its traditional best. Everyday myriad of Buddhist devotees gather around this dome shaped stupa to circumambulate the shrine clockwise, which is ritualistically a holy act in Tibetan culture. Right below the dome, colorfully marked eyes of Buddha , seems like taking care of the city with a parental watch. Maroon robed Tibetan monks stroll around the adorned streets with colorful prayer flags. The view of pilgrims spinning the prayer wheels and amassing yak butter and roasted barley flour which is also one of the typical Tibetan cultures, adds life to this tiny Tibet within Nepal. One of the few places in the world where Tibetan Buddhist culture can be observed without spending much time and money, Boudhanath is an UNESCO enlisted World Heritage Site. The vicinity around Boudhanath is pack to capacity with monasteries and outlets producing and selling essentials to live a normal life of Tibetan Buddhist.
Young monks learning the values of Buddhism
Boudhanath has an important historical significance which was once upon a time a prominent stopover point on the trade route between Tibet and Kathmandu. Travelers on this silk route offered prayer at Boudhanath for the safe journey to Tibetan capital Lhasa, through the high passes in the Himalayas. Descendants of Tibetan refugees to Nepal since 1959, dominate the place now whereas, maroon robed Western students influenced towards Buddhism can also been seen in the backstreets of Boudhanath.
The ancient heritage, Boudhanath can be best observed on the full moon evening, when the entire plaza surrounding the shrine, lightens up with hundred thousand butter lamps.
