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Nepal Culture Religion |
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Nepal Culture Religion |
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site: Boudhanath - Bodhnath Stupa |
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The
great chaitya of Baudha, locally known as Khasti or Khasau, is the
largest Buddhist shrine of Nepal and one of the biggest stupas of the world.
The exact date of the construction of this 40 metre high stupa is
not known. Its location away from the ancient city of Kathmandu indicates
that either the place was chosen as s trade route to Tibet, or it was also
a part of ancient city of Deupatan or the dicision must have been
guided by some tantric principles.
It
is believed that the Mandeva Ist was the one who built the stupa
after unknowingly having killed his father, when the stone water spout
of Narayanhiti was built. The Gopal Rajbanchabali gives credit
of making this stupa to Shivadeva the First, who ruled Nepal in around
590-604 AD.
The
archaeologists believe that the main stupa of Baudha has been reconstructed
by various persons, who added more circles to the amin sacred and original
stupa to decorate it and make it huge. They also believe that some important
inscriptions and idols indicative of the age of the stupa might be hidden
in the periphery.
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Bodhnaths's
Details
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The
present stupa is standing on almost 7,000 square metre foundation. |
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It
is setup with 12 corner-shaped mandala with three steps and on the
top lises the simple but massive dome. |
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The
dome is ciculated by 108 small idols of Mahayani Buddhist deities. |
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The dome
is crowen with the cubic shape with two eyes on each side. |
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Unlike
other Nepali stupas, it has 13 layers, representing the 13 Bhuwanas
to Nirvana-path, in square shape. |
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The
small staircase attatched with a chain can lead a person to the golden
pinnacle, which is under the decorated umbrellas, also circulated by
a five-colour fringe. |
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information and pictures |
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