"The symbolism of the largest stupa in Nepal" Top 5 Page for this destination Bodhnath Stupa Tip by josephescu

Bauddhanath, probably one of the largest stupas in the world, lies 5 km from Kathmandu on the traditional trade route leading to Lhasa, the Tibetan capital occupied by China since 1950. The stupa at Baudha is one of the few places in the world where the Tibetan culture is accessible, vibrant and unfettered.

This massive stupa (over 36 m high) has been built sometime between the 4th and the second half of the 9th century. UNESCO heritage site since 1979.

From simple domed burial mounds, “build to hold relics of Buddha”, stupas they evolved over the centuries to become complex structures that represent Buddhist philosophy
- the five elements characteristic to the Buddhist universe – the base symbolises the earth, the dome - water, the spire – fire, the umbrella – air and the pinnacle – ether.
- At the lowest level of the stupa is the plinth, which may be a simple square platform or terraced one. The plinth at Boudha Natha stupa is made of 3 tired crossed platforms and represent a mandala (aka a circle of completion), being used by the pilgrims as circumbulatory passages.
- A little above there is a series of recessed niches encircling the entire periphery of dome where a total number of 108 stone sculptures of Buddhist deities – 108 is a magic number in Buddhist philosophy.
- the hemispherical dome (kumbha), freshly whitewashed every year, symbolises the water.
- to the top of the stupa dome is the harmika, a square usually painted on each side with a pair of eyes along with question marks. With these ever cautious eyes, the lord Buddha beholds every happening constantly with a very keen attention.
- topping the harmika is a tapering section of 13 stages, representing the 13 different mental stages on the way to Nirvana (the final salvation, freed from the worldly bondages).
- above the harmika, there is a vessel in the form of an inverted lotus patel, which is to be filled with the water of knowledge. On the top, a gild metal parasol or umbrella to capture the wind.

Directions: east of Kathmandu, 100 rupees by taxi