Boudhha, named after its famous stupa, is a Tibetan pilgrimage site. Devotees walk around the shimmering white dome, which is embellished with painted Buddha eyes, and attend prayers and lectures at adjacent monasteries and schools. In 1979, the Boudhanath stupa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the most popular among Buddhists and foreign tourists. Its massive Mandala makes it one of the biggest spherical stupas in Nepal.
Walking around the stupa itself, one can come across shops that sell souvenirs, clothes, fruits, coffee, and local and international food. Some of these local cafes include Thukpa noodle soup, Laphing, Thulo Momo, Shyabhaley and many other traditional Tibetan foods, while more affluent places offer stupa views along with Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and Indian food options. Silk thangka paintings, singing bowls, jewelry and keyrings along with crystals and ammonite are popular souvenir items in the area.
Text and Photos by Riam Basnet
