Nestled in the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the Boudha Stupa—also known as Boudhanath (Nepali: बौद्धनाथ), Jarung Kashor Chorten in Tibetan (བྱོན་ཆོག་སྒར་), and sometimes simply called Boudha—is one of the most iconic spiritual landmarks in Nepal and among the largest spherical stupas in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, Boudhanath holds deep religious importance for Tibetan Buddhists, serving as a sacred pilgrimage site and the spiritual heart of Nepal's Tibetan community. According to legend, the stupa was built by a woman named Ma Jhyazima, a poultry keeper, who requested land from the king to build a shrine to the Buddha. The king agreed, and the stupa was constructed with great reverence, eventually enshrining the remains of Kassapa Buddha, one of the past Buddhas. Over the centuries, the stupa has become an enduring symbol of faith, compassion, and peace.

Architecturally, Boudhanath is breathtaking: its massive whitewashed dome sits atop a series of platforms shaped like a mandala, symbolizing the Buddhist cosmos. At its pinnacle rises a golden spire with thirteen levels, representing the steps toward enlightenment, topped by a lotus-shaped pinnacle and a gilded parasol. Most striking are the painted all-seeing eyes of the Buddha on all four sides of the square tower (harmika), silently watching over the valley and reminding all visitors of wisdom and awareness. Prayer flags ripple in the wind above, sending sacred mantras into the sky, while the continuous flow of monks, devotees, and travelers performing kora—ritual circumambulation—adds to the stupa's powerful energy.

Surrounding the stupa is a vibrant neighborhood filled with Tibetan monasteries (gompas), artisan shops selling thangka paintings, prayer beads, and incense, as well as rooftop cafes that offer stunning sunset views over the golden dome. Despite sustaining serious damage during the 2015 earthquake, Boudhanath was rapidly and lovingly restored by local and international efforts, and was re-consecrated in 2016. Today, it stands not just as a monument to Buddhist devotion but also as a resilient cultural beacon—welcoming anyone seeking peace, prayer, or simply a quiet moment in the shadow of something truly sacred.