- Address: Boudhanath (Boudha), Kathmandu 44600
- Phone: +977 1-4256910
Many are now interested in Buddhism. Travel to Nepal has become very popular, and tourists try to visit as many local monasteries as possible. Dozens of temples are located in the temple complex around the stupa of Bodnath on the outskirts of Kathmandu in Nepal. Stupa is considered a very important sacred place.
Bodnath Stupa - the place of strength
In ancient times, the roads going to Tibet from India passed through Bodnath, the cult place of power of the Himalayan region. Pilgrims and monks stayed here for prayers, meditations and recreation . They were located under the dome of the stupa.
The main features of the architecture of the stupa are:
- The Bodnath Stupa is a monumental structure with a height of more than 40 m.
- It symbolizes the universe, and its elements are elements.
- At the base of the stupa is a square platform, personifying the earth.
- On the platform there is a dome, this is water.
- Above is the spire - the fire, all this covers the umbrella - the air.
- On the umbrella is a triple spire, this is ether.
- On all four walls of the spire, the Buddha's eyes are drawn. They look in all directions and see everything, symbolizing the all-seeing eye.
- From one level to another leads 13 steps - 13 steps to enlightenment according to the teachings of the Buddha.
- Around the stupa in the niches are installed Buddha statues. There are only 108 of them.
The stupa is decorated with numerous flags. If you look closely, you can see that they are all painted with mantras. The colors of the flags correspond to the colors of the elements:
- earth - yellow;
- water - green;
- fire - red;
- air - white;
- space - blue.
When the wind inflates the flags, it carries the energy that is contained in the texts of mantras, and clears the space of evil. On the platform is a censer with incense. People walk on the platform. You need to go clockwise. Around the stupa are arranged prayer drums. They need to be untwisted to activate mantras. This cleanses karma.
Visiting the Bodnath Stupa
It is best to visit a stupa in the tourist group. It's easier to get there, and the guide will help you understand all the unusual and will tell you a lot of interesting things.
The entrance is located on the north side, the ticket costs about $ 5.
Near the entrance to the stupa Bodnath monks are sitting, who read mantras and bind the visitors with the blessing threads. Buddhism has no prayers, because there is no God. Buddha is not God, but a man, a teacher. Mantras should help a person to awaken the Buddha in himself. Mantras are read by rotating the drum clockwise. Tourists are allowed to rotate the drum on which the mantras are written.
When you visit the temple of Bodnath, people usually experience a spiritual uplift and the feeling that the stupa is alive.
There are some rules of behavior:
- do not come in defiant clothing;
- Do not climb the stupa on the spherical roof;
- Do not take photos of people without their consent;
- not to bring animals;
- Do not smoke;
- do not litter;
- do not swear;
- not to bring weapons.
You can walk along all three terraces, then go down and walk around the stupa. It is necessary to look into the Buddha's eyes. Everyone sees in them something of their own: someone has a hope, and someone - a sadness. The Buddha's nose is figure 1, which means that the path to enlightenment is one - this is the Buddha's teaching.
Inside the stupa there are statues, paintings and drums. People here embrace peace and tranquility, and many later try to visit this place again.
Around the stupa there are temples, shops and cafes.
During the earthquake in 2015 the stupa suffered, but now it is completely restored.
How to get there?
From the center of Kathmandu to the Bodnath stupa, you can take a rickshaw or bus to the Bauddha stop.