Bodhnath – A Little Tibet in Kathmandu July 9, 2009
Posted by jcoemd in Everest Trek 2009.trackback
A Buddhist Monk at His Monastery in Bodhnath
At noon on Thursday, May 21st our enthusiastic group of “veteran” trekking photographers journeyed off to Bodhnath for lunch and to visit one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world. This community is the primary home for exiled Tibetans in Nepal. It has been said that this is one of the only places in the world that Tibetan culture is “accessible, vibrant and unfettered”. In addition to the Stupa, there are many shops and restaurants, a Buddhist Monastery and an art school in which students and masters paint the beautiful thankas. Marooned robed Buddhist monks are ubiquitous. The faithful (as well as tourist) circle the Stupa in a clockwise direction, many chanting the Buddhist mantra “om mani padme hum”. This place is truly a sight to behold!
The Great Stupa of Bodhnath
That evening, we had our last group dinner, this time at the Rum Doodle rooftop restaurant near our hotel. After dinner, Jon handed out our monogrammed “Everest Trek 2009” tee shirts and complemented the group for our accomplishments. Chris also said a few words. We left an autographed Yeti foot cutout on the wall (a tradition of this establishment) as a memento our visit. Finally, it was time to go back to the hotel and begin packing and then off to bed for the last time in Nepal as most of us were scheduled to fly out late the following evening to begin the first leg of our journey home.
An Artist Painting a “Thanka” at Tsering Art School
Our Autographed “Yeti Foot” at Rum Doodle
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