one
of the largest stupas in the world, Bodhnath is surrounded by a thriving
Tibetan community
praying
the
base of the stupa takes the shape of a mandala, which symbolises the earth;
a brick wall around the stupa has 147 niches, each with four or five prayer
wheels bearing the immortal mantra om mani padme hum
golden
the
Sakyapa Gompa located on the western side of the stupa is the only gompa
that opens directly onto the stupa; here there is a room with a massive
prayer wheel and the walls of this room has hundreds of painted sitting
Buddhas images from floor to roof
devotion
many
worshippers can be seen praying, repeating an elaborate ritual routine from
a standing position to being in prone position
monk
on
the northern side of the stupa is a small shrine dedicated to Ajima, the
goddess of smallpox; the northern end is also the entrance and stairway
to the upper walkway of the stupa
watching
eyes
the
base of the stupa is four tiered, on which sits a dome which symbolises
water, then comes the spire symbolising fire, the umbrella symbolising air
and the pinnacle symbolising ether; Buddha's watchful eyes gaze out in four
directions from the square base of the spire; there is a third eye between
and above the two normal eyes, and the 'nose' which is not a nose but the
Nepali number one signifying the oneness of all life; the spire is made
of 13 steps representing the 13 stages on the journey to nirvana
beggars
beware
back
at Thamel for shopping and exploring the multitude of narrow streets with
interesting colourful signs
