Khasti, Jarung Khasor, Bouddhanath
Bouddhanath
Bouddhanath is one of the largest stupas in Nepal. It is located on the northeastern outskirts, just 11 kilometers away from the heart of Kathmandu. The stupa is constructed in the middle of a massive mandala. Bouddhanath stupa is one of the largest stupas in the world. It is also known as the Khasa Chaitya, Khasti in Newari language, and Jarung Khasor in the Tibetan language.
Bouddhanath Stupa/Khasa Chaitya/Khasti Chaitya/Jarung Khasor
The stupa has got a unique architecture. It is always found decorated with flying prayer flags tied from its pinnacle to the edges. Its view dominates the skyline luring the visitors. The stupa entombs the relics of Kassapa Buddha, people believe. Kassapa Buddha is the third Buddha of the current Bhadrakalpa. He is believed to be the previous Buddha of Sakyamuni Buddha (present Buddha). The stupa is one of the major attractions for foreign tourist to Nepal
A story behind construction of Bouddhanath Stupa
Long ago, King Vikramaditya lived in the place of current days Narayanhiti palace museum. He planned to construct a stone tap at the southeastern part of the palace. He lacked the idea of finding a water source for the tap. So, he consulted an astrologer. The astrologer suggested sacrificing a man with 32 fortunate attributes will solve the problem.
According to legend, the king believed that the deed will sprout water for the tap. In the instantaneous times, King himself and Prince were only two of those 32 mentioned signs in the state. Instead of giving the son’s sacrifice to his old age, he decided to make himself a sacrifice. King ordered his son to chop the head of a person in white attire sitting nearby the newly constructed stone tap without looking him, before dawn the next morning.
The king disguised himself as that strange person. The next early morning prince obeyed father’s order and beheaded the man dressed white who was ultimately his father. Immediately the blood fluttered as stream. According to the legendary narrative, the head of the Bikramadity flew and reached to the Bajrayogini. Now, we see the idol of Vikramaditya at Bajrayogini. To get rid of sin he had done, the prince decided to release a chicken from Bajrayogini and vow to construct a Chaitya where it lands. The chicken landed at the current Khasti/Bouddhanath.
In the Newari language, Khasi means cold and Ti means drop. He started constructing Chaitya there but the place was lacking water due to no rain for a long time. He spread many clothes; clothes got wet by dewdrops every next morning. The construction work started by collecting water that way.