Boudhanath Stupa
बौद्धनाथ स्तूप
One of the largest spherical stupas in the world, the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dedicated To
Amitabha Buddha
Period
5th-6th century CE
Hours
Open 24 hours (best visited dawn or dusk)
Entry Fee
NPR 400 / USD 4
Neighborhood
Boudha
Location
Kathmandu, Bagmati
Visiting Etiquette
Walk clockwise around the stupa. Spin prayer wheels clockwise. Remove shoes when entering monasteries. Photography is generally allowed outside, restricted inside gompas.
Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. This magnificent mandala-shaped monument dominates the skyline of Boudha and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The stupa stands 36 meters tall with a massive white dome symbolizing the earth, topped by a square harmika with the all-seeing eyes of Buddha painted on all four sides. Thirteen rings ascend from the harmika, representing the path to enlightenment. The entire structure sits on a series of descending terraces forming a giant mandala.
Circumambulating (kora) the stupa clockwise while spinning prayer wheels is a daily ritual for hundreds of Tibetan refugees and local Buddhists. The surrounding area is a vibrant quarter with over 50 Tibetan monasteries (gompas), making it one of the most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. The atmosphere at sunset, with hundreds of butter lamps flickering and monks chanting, is unforgettable.