Boudhanath (Boudhanath Stupa)

Boudha is a stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal, also known as Boudhanath, Khasti Chaitya, and Khsa Chaitya. Its vast mandala makes it one of Nepal's and the world's largest spherical stupas, located around 11 kilometers from Kathmandu's center and northeastern suburbs.

The Boudhanath Stupa, located just outside of Kathmandu, is one of the world's largest stupas, dating back to the 6th century, probably even earlier. It, like Bhaktapur, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located on the old trade route to Tibet.

The stupa is a sign of enlightenment in and of itself, but the symbolism at Boudhanath is particularly strong. Each form represents one of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and sphere, which are also the five Buddhas' qualities. Their unity, reflected in abstract form in the form of the stupa, represents the structure of the universe itself. The stupa was slightly damaged during the 2015 earthquake, however, it has since been rebuilt.

Location: Stupa, Boudhanath Sadak, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Entrance fee: 400 NPR
Best time to visit: early morning or at dusk
Hours: Mondays - Sundays: 24 hours