Boudhanath Stupa
बौद्धनाथ स्तुप
One of the largest stupas in the world and the spiritual hub of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal — a UNESCO World Heritage monument circled day and night by pilgrims turning prayer wheels.
Deity
Buddhist stupa (relics)
Location
Kathmandu
Bagmati
Tradition
Buddhist
Main festival
Losar
Boudhanath's vast white dome, crowned by a gilded tower painted with the watchful eyes of the Buddha, dominates the Boudha neighbourhood. Built on an ancient trade route to Tibet, it became the centre of Nepal's Tibetan refugee community after 1959.
Dozens of monasteries (gompas) surround the stupa. Pilgrims perform kora — clockwise circumambulation — especially at dawn and dusk, and the stupa glows with butter lamps at Losar and Buddha Jayanti. It is inscribed within the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO property.
Highlights
One of the world's largest stupas
All-day kora (circumambulation) by pilgrims
Surrounding Tibetan monasteries and rooftop cafés
Spectacular at Losar and Buddha Jayanti
How to reach
About 6 km north-east of central Kathmandu; taxi or bus to Boudha.
Best time to visit
Dawn and dusk for kora; Losar (Feb) and Buddha Jayanti (May) for festivals.
Boudhanath Stupa, answered
Which deity is worshipped at Boudhanath Stupa?+
Boudhanath Stupa is dedicated to Buddhist stupa (relics) (a Buddhist site) in Boudha, north-east Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Bagmati Province.
How do I reach Boudhanath Stupa?+
About 6 km north-east of central Kathmandu; taxi or bus to Boudha.
What is the best time to visit Boudhanath Stupa?+
Dawn and dusk for kora; Losar (Feb) and Buddha Jayanti (May) for festivals.
What is the main festival at Boudhanath Stupa?+
The main festival at Boudhanath Stupa is Losar.
Other temples & pilgrimage sites
Sources & data note
Temple histories, deities and festival associations are drawn from the Nepal Tourism Board, temple trusts and the Department of Archaeology. Altitudes and coordinates are approximate. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and shift each year. Several sites (Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Lumbini) are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List — see the heritage section for the formal listing.