Built in the 6th century, the Boudhanath Temple is the biggest stupa in Nepal and a witness to Tibetan Buddhism. It is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. The structure of the building consists of a giant dome, on the top of which sits a Buddhist pyramid tower. All of this sits on top of huge steps shaped like mandalas It is 118 ft. tall.
It is customary to wall around the Buddha three time clockwise. The circumnavigation path is about 325 ft. Crowds of people were walking the path, chanting mantras, and spinning the prayer wheels along the way.
Above: people walking around the stupa.
Left: Bob spinning a prayer wheel, clockwise.
The stupa was surrounded by a circle of markets and craft stands for people to buy souvenirs.
The stupa is in an area called “Little Tibet” because many Tibetan refugees settled there. We were awed at the surrounding monasteries, art galleries, and food vendors.
This was a good place to start our visit to Kathmandu.