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 The
keen mind will soon notice the tranquility
that surrounds the stupa premises. The
great white dome is the centerpiece of
Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, and as such
monks and devotees flock to it everyday
from faraway corners of the kingdom as
well as from Tibet. Its prayer wheels,
with "om mane padme hun" inscribed
on it, sends out a continuous chime as
devotees chant and turn it in their search
for nirvana.
The exact age of the stupa
is yet undetermined, but it is said to
be built around 5th century AD. Exactly
who built it is also a mystery. Various
legends abound. One has it that the daughter
of a deity exiled from heaven descended
on earth and built the stupa. Yet another
legend tells the story of trying to entice
rain gods to a drought-hit Valley.
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Boudhanath
stupa, a World hertige site
Buddhism
wouldn't be what it is today without its
monuments such as Boudhanath, one of seven
World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu denoted
by UNESCO. This great white dome of a
stupa, just six kilometer from city centre
and on the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu,
embodies the peace and tranquility of
the world's most pacifist religion. One
of two great stupas located in Kathmandu
Valley, a visit to Boudhanath is a must
if eastern spirituality and a harmonious
blend of culture and religion is what
interests you.
