The great stupa of Boudhanath in Kathmandu is one of the
largest in the world and a major pilgrimage site as well as tourist attraction.
Located about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center and northeastern outskirts of
Kathmandu. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet
has seen the construction of over 50 gompas (Tibetan convent) around Boudha. As
of 1979, Boudha Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu
Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner, passes by Boudha Stupa
to the ancient and smaller stupa of Chā-bahī named Charumati Stupa (often
called "Little Boudhanath"). It then turns directly south, heading
over the Bagmati River to Lalitpur – thus bypassing the main city of Kathmandu
(which was a later foundation). Tibetan merchants have rested and offered
prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the
1950s, many decided to live around Boudhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the
remains of Kassapa Buddha.
Its history is vague as its origins are clearly
mythological and different traditions give its date of construction and
consecration in different eras and under vastly different circumstances. It is
thought to have been built in the late 6th century CE by a king of the Nepalese
Licchavi Kingdom and was enlarged and expanded upon later, most likely in the
14th century CE.
The stupa rises 118 feet (36 m) high with a circumference
of 328 feet (100 m).The structure was damaged in an earthquake in April 2015 AD
and was reconstruction began on 3
November 2015 whereas it was reopened on 22 November 2016.The renovation
and reconstruction was organised by the Boudhanath Area Development Committee
(BADC). The repairs were funded entirely by private donations from Buddhist
groups and volunteers. According to the BADC, it cost of over 2,000,000
US dollars and more than 30kg of
gold. The repaired building was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. However, the Nepalese government was criticised
for its slow pace in reconstructing quake-damaged heritage structures such as
temples, with many left unrepaired.
