Stupa and Chaitya Architecture of Nepal

source Discovery channel

Stupa and Chaitya

Nepal's major stupas are dedicated exclusively to the Buddha and are solid hemispherical structures enshrining relics, whether it be his moral remains, as in the case of the Swayambhu, or some of his belongings. Similar stupas, or Chaitya, usually contain holy scipts, mantras or, in the hills, the mortal remains of a holy lama.

            The stupas vary greatly in size, from the massive structure at Boudhanath to smaller versions found in towns where Buddhists predominate. Their style of constructions is basically uniform: the hemispherical mound is either mad up ground or a small hillock or rocky outcrop from which, as is the case at swayambhunath, the dome is formed. According to tradition, this mound of earth often covers a series of small chaityas grouped around in a central one. Centrally placed on the mound is a small square structure (chaku) which supports the elaborate, usually gilded, pinnacle of 13 stages, on the base of which are the eyes of the Buddha surveying the cardinal points. The 3rd -century Ashoka stupas of Patan are much simpler in form and have only a plain brick chaku. The mounds of the later stupas are generally covered with brick or lime concrete and are whitewashed. During Buddhist festivals the dome is decorated with yellow clay poured over the whitewashed dome to resemble the lotus flower.