Daily Life at Boudhanath Stupa

After my Annapurna trek, I returned to Kathmandu for my last week in Nepal. 

I could only handle a few nights in rockin' Thamel (the tourist district) after having experienced the tranquility of Pokhara, so I sought refuge in nearby Boudha, home to one of the valley's seven World Heritage Sites.

My new base camp was much quieter at night, and by spending my last few days in Nepal there, I was able to photograph Boudhanath Stupa at all times of day, from sunrise to sunset.

I observed the daily life of the Tibetans who lived there.

I watched them walk around the stupa, spinning prayer wheels, and counting their prayers on malas (beaded necklaces). I walked around spinning prayer wheels too.

And I bought a few wonderful souvenirs from the shops that enveloped the stupa.

Tibetan Buddhism is alive and well in Boudha, and it quickly became one of my favorite places in the world.

Sign at entrance to Boudhanath Stupa

The first view most people experience

Colorful prayer flags flutter in the wind

The big picture

Map of monasteries

Minor stupa along the perimeter

Wedding procession

5 of the 108 prayer wheels surrounding the stupa

Tibetans walk clockwise around the stupa at sunset (note the malas they hold in their hands)

The top of the stupa glows golden at sunset

Sunrise prostrations by a Westerner (note the plane and bird in upper left corner!)

Stupa

Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.