The first place we always visit in Kathmandu is Bodinath. This is a very large temple with a circular street that follows it around. It is filled with shops and traders. This is the place to buy prayer flags and there is one very good statue shop shortly after the entrence in one of the back streets. The eyes of Buddah watch while the prayer flags blow in the wind releasing their prayers into the ether and earning those who have placed them up, good merit.
One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Boudhanath is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style Platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses. This stupa is said to have been built in 5th century A. D. The site is considered very much like mecca for the Tibetan Buddhists and every year tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the Himalayan region visit the stupa.
As an entry to the ancient Nepal-Tibet trade rout, the site is popularly frequented by Tibetan visitors. During Lhosar festival the pilgrims worship the Buddhist deities, light the increase and butter lamp day and night. Every twelve year a special ceremony is observed with great gusto and ferror . During that time they dance, play musical instruments, chant and hymns. |
