Charumati Stupa: A Timeless Gem

22, Jan 2025 | nepaltraveller.com

Nestled in the busy neighborhood of Chabahil, Kathmandu, Charumati Stupa stands as a profound piece of Nepal's Buddhist heritage. Built over 2,000 years ago, this ancient stupa was commissioned by Charumati, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka, known for his deep devotion to Buddhism.

Charumati, married to a Nepali prince, brought her father’s vision of peace and spirituality to the Kathmandu Valley. Inspired by Ashoka's legacy, she worked with local communities to construct this stupa. Though this stupa is smaller and more understated than its famous counterparts like Swayambhunath and Boudhanath but Charumati Stupa holds a charm that’s very unique and can’t be easily replicated. The stupa’s design is simple yet meaningful: a white dome symbolizing purity, topped with a spire that points to enlightenment. Surrounding the structure are prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, each carrying mantras that are believed to spread blessings. Local devotees visit regularly, lighting butter lamps and walking the kora while whispering prayers, filling the site with life and devotion.

What makes Charumati Stupa special is its tranquility. It doesn’t draw large crowds or sit on a bustling tourist trail, making it an ideal spot for quiet reflection. If you want to breathe a fresh breath while being away from the hustle of the busy city then you’ll love this place. This stupa is a living reminder of how faith, history, and culture connect to shape Nepal’s spiritual identity. The stupa is also a living relic of history. In 2003, locals restored the crumbling structure, which had suffered damage due to heavy vehicular traffic nearby. During the restoration, countless artifacts, coins, and manuscripts, possibly dating back to the Licchavi era, were discovered. It underwent another restoration following the devastating Nepal earthquake of 2015.

If you’re in Kathmandu, Charumati Stupa will always invite you to step off the beaten path and discover a hidden story. It’s a place where the past can be studied in the present, offering peace and perspective to those who pause to listen.

Photo Credit-commons.wikipedia.org,nepalcharumati.com.np.

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