Bouddha Nath Temple
21 May 2003
This Bouddha Nath Temple is located inside Kathmandu. I was fortunate enough to witness how they paint the stupa. I saw a man with a big basin of white paint (lime or apog). He splashed the contents of his basin onto the surface of the stupa. Some devotees have a saffron-colored paint. These give the saffron and white color of the stupa.
Notice the prayer flags flying from the top of the stupa. These are in five colors, representing five protective deities: water, space, earth, fire and air. Each of the prayer flags contain mantras or prayers. Buddhists believe that when the wind blows through these prayer flags, the air is purified.
On top of the stupa is the gilded harmika, the four pairs of painted eyes of Buddha. These eyes symbolize the sun and moon. On top of the eyes is the spire with 13 golden rings.
