You can’t come to Nepal without a visit to the country’s largest stupa (dome-shaped structure built as a Buddhist shrine). Boudhanath stupa is one of the most important, holiest temples in Nepal used for pilgrimages and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists.

Look how magnificent it is, all 36m of it!

A short drive from the centre of Kathmandu (you can get taxi’s very easily here), it’s located in a town called Boudha, on the eastern side of the city.

It’s fascinating structure is worth an explanation!
It was built in the 14th century, and since the 1959 Tibetan uprising where thousands of Tibetans arrived in Nepal, the temple has become a precious site of worship for Tibetan Buddhists as well as local Nepali’s. It’s another UNESCO World Heritage Site and as you can imagine, a very popular site for tourists in Kathmandu.

From above the stupa, it looks like a huge mandala – a circular shaped, spiritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism. In this case, Tibetan mandalas represent four of the Dhyani Buddhas (the points of the stupa’s base), with the fifth in the centre (within the dome itself).

It is said that the five Buddhas represent the five elements which are actually described by the structure itself – the square base of the stupa represents earth, the dome is water, the spire is fire, the upper lotus and moon is air and the sun is space. The unity of these structures is meant to reflect the universe.

You’ll notice Buddha’s eyes on all four sides of the spire structure, with a “third eye” in the middle, which is a symbol of wisdom. Also the spire, or 13 steps above the eyes in a pyramid shape, represents the ladder to enlightenment.

It’s fascinating learning what the meanings are behind each part of the structure.

A huge circular path surrounds the stupa, lined with shops and cafes. I bought a large painting of the symbolic eyes that I really can’t wait to get framed and hung up (when I eventually have my own home!).

The circular painting below on the top-right is a mandala. Some of them are stunning and the amount of detail in them is pretty incredible. The prices range from quite cheap to eye-poppingly expensive. But you do pay for the detail and experience of the artist. 

After a lot of photo-taking and admiring, we chose a rooftop cafe with a great view of the stupa, advised by our Lonely Planet book.

A must-have order in Nepal are these Tibetan dumplings called Momo. They’re similar to the Japanese gyoza, and are absolutely delicious! You can order them vegetarian or with meat.

This stupa really is a special and spiritual place to visit, especially as you see people walking around deep in prayer and thought.

It’s top on the tourist trail for a reason, and my advice would be to arrive early to avoid any potential mass of tourists. I went during the winter time so it wasn’t an issue then.

Have you ever been? I’d love to know your thoughts!