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Daily Life at Boudhanath Stupa

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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
Sign at entrance to Boudhanath Stupa
The first view most people experience
The first view most people experience
Colorful prayer flags flutter in the wind
Colorful prayer flags flutter in the wind
The big picture
The big picture
Map of monasteries
Map of monasteries
Minor stupa along the perimeter
Minor stupa along the perimeter
Wedding procession
Wedding procession
5 of the 108 prayer wheels surrounding the stupa
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)
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
The top of the stupa glows golden at sunset
Sunrise prostrations by a Westerner (note the plane and bird in upper left corner!)
Sunrise prostrations by a Westerner (note the plane and bird in upper left corner!)
Stupa
Stupa

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. johnnyvagabond says

    Great photos! I especially like the next-to-last one -- you captured some beautiful light with that one.

  2. Dave says

    Thanks Wes, waking up at sunrise paid off in that instance.

    I felt lucky to have captured the plane and bird in the shot as well.

    I tried to take some photos at night, but there wasn't enough light.

  3. ottsworld says

    Was just there recently. I love this site because it's a little calm oasis among the craziness of Kathmandu!

  4. GlobalButterfly says

    I LOVE the photo of the man praying at sunrise, wow! What an extraordinary place!!!

  5. Lorraine says

    Such warm feelings permeated me as I viewed these pictures. I was here a year ago and Boudhanath was my favorite part of Kathmandu. I was in Nepal for 6 weeks and fell in love with the country, it's people, food, and culture. Boudhanath holds a special place in my heart!

  6. Dave says

    Lorraine - glad you liked my photos. It's amazing the effect Nepal has on the people who visit!

  7. Dave says

    Lorraine - glad you liked my photos. It's amazing the effect Nepal has on the people who visit!

  8. Deelip K says

    Amazing photos Dave.
    I have some photos I took during my trekking to Langtang.
    Can I post them in this blog?