Boudhanath  

Boudhanath temple is located in capital city of Nepal.It is about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu.Boudhanath is also called (Boudha, Bouddhanath or Baudhanath or the Khāsa Caitya) which is one of the holiest Buddhist sitesThe Boudhanath temple, or Boudhanath Stupa, is the main reason visitors head toward the town. It is the main focus of tourism in the area because of it is the largest stupa found in Nepal and the holiest of all Buddhist temples outside of Tibet. The stupa in Boudhanath is the focal point of Tibetan culture inside of Kathmandu and all major holy Buddhist events and festivals are celebrated there. If you're lucky enough to be in Boudhana during the Tibetan New Year, or Losar festival, you'll be treated to one of the most distinctive Boudhanath sights and the largest celebration in the country.In 1979, Boudha became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Stupa of Boudhanath is the focal point of the district. There are at least 29 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries & Nunneries) around Boudhanath. The culture is very much Himalayan with a strong presence of Tibetans & Sherpas, as can be evidenced by the number of restaurants selling momos, thukpa & other Tibetan favorites.

History of Boudhanath

 Boudhanath was a largely unknown, and infrequently visited town until the mid-1980s. Up until the 1980s, there was little infrastructure or tourist development here. The history of Boudhanath dates back to the fourteenth century, proceeding the infiltration of the Mughal people. No historian truly knows the reasons for its establishment but there are several theories. One is that the area was settled by Tibetan Buddhists after the invasion by the Chinese in 1959 with the Bodnath Stupa being the leading attraction as a place of holy pilgrimage. The Boudhanath temple eventually put the town on the map and the number of visitors have steadily increased.Nowadays, the stupa is the most popular site for Buddhists in Nepal, and throughout the day pilgrims can be seen circumambulating the structure chanting mantras. It is especially spectacular at night when adorned with butter lamps. Remember to walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction and also to spin the prayer wheels clockwise. There is a small entry fee (rps 150) to enter the stupa area.There are a handful of good hotels to choose from for anyone wanting to stay overnight in Boudhanath. There are also several good dining options, from street vendors to small restaurants. Anyone interested in Buddhist temples should make a point to visit the Boudhanath Stupa, even if just during a day trip from Kathmandu.

How to reach Boudhanath?

Once you know where is Boudhanath then you can plan to visit there. If you are somebody who just came from Airport and want to go there, then if you are taking a cab or taxi it will take maximum 30-45 minutes to reach there. If you want to go from public transportation, you should take the bus, microbus or tempo ( a three wheeler taxi) which says it is going to medical collage or sakhu or sundarijal. You would be able to find plenty of vehicles around there.