Boudhabnath

Boudhanath Stupa

The legend behind the great stupa of Boudhanath has it that it was built by a poultry farmer a women Shamvara. After reciving permission from the king to build a stupa ,Shamvara began its construction with the help of her four sons ,an elephant and a donkey .Foundations were laid,and walls were build up to the third level .It was at this time that the people of the valley resented the idea of a poor poultry farmer and a woman at that  building such a stupa and shaming them by her illustriouis work.

They questioned ,if a poor women could such a stupa ,then what is to be expected from the king the nobles and the welthly .Jealous of the women ,they petitioned the king to halt the construction work .But the king was not to oblige them.He told them that poor poultry women-farmer had gone through great hardship to build the Stupa, he being the king ,would not take back his word .The construction work thus continued for four years ,and the pinnacle was nearing complete.

But at this point ,the poor women ,sensing that her end was nearing ,called her four sons and servant and told them to complete this great stupa .She said ,'' My divine project is the place of adulation for both earthly and superhuman beings. Place the imperishable remains of the Tathagatas (mortal Buddhas ) within this Stupa and consecrate it with great honouar and reverence .I desire that my wish be fulfilled by which the great purpose of all the Buddha of the past, present and future will be relaised .And you my sons ,will also fulfill the purpose of this life and the next by obeying my wishes " .With these words ,the woman died and attained Buddhahood  ( salvation) .Her sons completed theconstruction of the famous Boudhanath.

A Hindu legand on its origin states that the great stupa was built by kind Manadev (I) in 5^th century A.D. to absolve himself from the sin of patricide.