Friday Flashback – Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhnath Stupa, Nepal

Since rioting Tibetans and the iron-fist of the Chinese government meant I'd miss the chance to visit Tibet, I was soaking up as much of the culture as possible in Nepal. 

Nowhere was it more alive than around the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Boudhanath Stupa, the 5th World Heritage Site I visited in the Kathmandu Valley.

Life literally revolves around the stupa. 

From sunrise to sunset, and well beyond into the night, Tibetans walk clockwise around the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels, repeating mantras and counting them on malas (prayer beads in the form of a necklace), and catching up with their neighbors.

Moving out of the brash and hectic tourist district, Thamel, to the serene, traffic-free area around the stupa was one of the best decisions I made on my trip. 

I was able to photograph the stupa in all manners of light, from every angle I could come up with. 

I woke up early in the morning to the echoing drums and Tibetan chants from the monks next door in the monastery that ran my guest house…which I much preferred to being kept awake every night by the brash sound of cover bands playing the same rock ‘n roll classics over and over.

Om……

Blissful Boudhnath Stupa (my first impressions)

Daily Life In Boudha

More Images From Boudhnath Stupa (less writing, more photos)

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.