Thamel is a little tourist district of Kathmandu. Its definitely a place where you expect to be scammed and ripped off, but its also really comforting. It was the place we called home for four days, and we really did love it. Lots of awesome meals, people watching, and meeting other travelers made it a place to appreciate.

Taking a little stride out of Thamel, we got to visit one of the most sacred places in the country. A visit to The Great Boudha Stupa was a place where we were able to pay our respects to all those who have been in the mountains of Nepal before us, say prayers for those who were there, and about to go, and send our own hopes for our trek into the hands of the Hindu gods before we depart on our own journey.

Stupa Flags
Prayers of many to many.
A humbling view.
A humbling view.

The Great Boudha Stupa’s legend is one of a widow named Ma Jhyazima who aspired to make a great offering to Boudha. She asked the king for permission which she was given, on the condition that she used and area of land measuring the size of a single ox skin. But, the clever Jhyazima cut the skin into thin trips and claimed the land enclosed from the strips which laid end to end.

Simply her ambition to build such an offering caused jealousy between the rich and powerful. They petitioned the king to stop the construction but the king replied “Since permission to build has been given, it shall not be rescinded.” The construction was completed by the four sons of Jhyazima. There is believed to be Buddha’s and Bodhisattvas of 3 times actually dissolved into this stupa; and this is believed to be a “wish granting jewel.”

Prayer Wheels
Prayer wheels lined the entire base. We spinned them as we passed, thinking of all whose presence is here past, present and future.

Buddhists believe that offerings to the Stupa will grant you beautiful things. The first of which is “All who hears of it will have placed the seed of enlightenment upon their mind-stream” (you’re WELCOME). There are a true multitude of benefits you will receive when you offer your mind, soul, peace, and thoughts.

Can't tell what I wished for.
Can’t tell what we wished for!

To say being in its presence was humbling isn’t quite enough. But, thats the beauty of such powerful places. Their peace, their power, however you personally interpret them, is what you need the most in that moment. Truly invaluable.

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