STUPA ARCHITECTURE IN NEPAL

The stupas in fact should be the entombment of the corporeal relics of Buddha. The stupas usually consist of a square or circular base, a drum like hemispherical body and a square or a rectangular enclosure over the center of the hemisphere, with a tapering umbrella consisting originally of 3 and later of 13 concentric rings crowned finally by a finial called "gajura".

Stupas are normally of three kinds on the basis of their purpose. They are i.)Saririka (embodying the mortal remains such as bones), ii.)Paribhogika (containing objects used by the Buddha or the Bodisattvas), and iii.)Uddesika (dedicated to buddha). It is the Uddesika stupas that are called chaityas in Nepal in common language.

Its form is circular. The hemisphere acts as a garbagriha. The dome of chaitya covers the peak of the hill and forms a platform at the level of 1403.26m. On the peak rests the central shaft or, wodden pillar (yasti) of the chaitya. 31meters below the platform, a dome is placed representing Bhairava as the gurdian god of the hill at the very point upto which kalihrada, the pre-historic lake is set to have had its level. The central shaft of the chaitya represents Indra, the axis of the world and the dome represents the primordial hillock, floating on the primordial ocean. Here the symbolism of the hillock is repeated. It is represented by the hill as it sticks out of the lake Kalihrada as well as by the dome of the building.

On the top of hemisphere, hermika must be cube. But here it is elongated because of flattering. The hermika is the replication of gavaska window. Instead of window, two eyes with the symbol of Nepali letter 1. The eye and window has the similar meaning as looking out. The symbol of one means the oneness, unity of Nepalese people. Thus from this part the fifth Buddha Vairochana is radiating energy through the eye. The central spire is lengthened by an array of concentric discs made of gilded copper. It is called Churamani or conical gift rings. It symbolizes the 13 steps of enlightenment. On the uppermost disc of the square, there is a strong wood and gilt work supporting richly carved canopy. In the center of the framework the upper end of the wooden chhatra or linga around which the spire is constructed, is seen. On the top of the spire, there is an inverted bell shaped pinnacle. This pinnacle is crowned by a second small chattra be that rest upon a tripod, which is formed by three long gilded supports projecting from the upper edges of the lower but larger canopy.

The vajrayana concept started in the valley in the seventh century resulting the five thoughts around the hemisphere. The notion of five tathaghts, Jinas or "Dhyani Buddha" named Vairochaya, Akshobhaya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha (Amitylas) and Amogasidhi are the fundamental of vajranya practices. These are assumed as the authors of the five world as three past, the present and the future.

Four tathaghats are placed in niches facing the cardinal direction at an angle 12  from North. Each may be recognized by its particular color, symbol, mudra, and vanane and each has its own concert. Aksobhaya is in Bhumisparsh mudra touching the ground. His vehicle is depicted below the niche. The fifth tathgata, Vairocana is regarded as the eldest and Vairocana is a lord of perfection. This image was placed in 1418. As the old image was layed and its gold coating got rubbed out. This deity should have been represented in the middle of dome shaped structure but in the stupa of Swayambhunath, he is given a place of greater honor because he is stationed at the right hand side of Aksobhaya, the lord of east. He is shown in attitude of preaching. His vehicle is the lion. Vajradateshwari the concert of vairochana is represented sitting on her husband's right mamaki. The female concert of Ratnasambhava, the lord of the south is depicted in a boon giving attitude of mounting in a horse. In another small shrine, there is a pandara, the female concert of Amitabha. On the west side, Amitabha, the lord of the west is regressed in the position of meditation. This is mounted on a vehicle peacock. Just beside the shrine of Amitabha is the shrine of Tara, the female concert of Amogasidshi who is situated by her side in small shrine. Amogasiddhi, the lord of north is depicted in a boon giving a protective attitude. His vehicle is Garuda.

The dome of the stupa appears as almost hemispherical mass with the external coating of Bajra, a primitive mortar constituted by lime pulverized brick and mud pulse. The stone skeleton of the chapels are clothen by gilt plates with sculpturally finished toranas and golden gajur on the top. Each of these chapel house mediating Buddha, which are of cuprous origin with external framework of gold. There is great Hindu-Buddhist architectural harmony since very much ancient time, which can be seen on the swayambhu area also. The whole complex comprises many other buildings, temples, bihars etc.