Four Ashoka Stupas of Lalitpur
13 Mar 2024 HYN Himalayan Yoga Academy
Lalitpur District is one of 77 districts of Nepal and is one of the Kathmandu Valley districts which covers an area of 396 square kilometers. Newars are the major habitats of Lalitpur and Newari is their major language of communication. It is best known for its rich cultural heritage, especially its tradition of arts and crafts. Patan or Lalitpur is the city of people accomplished in the arts and professions which is like no other.
Temples, Palaces, bahis, and bahals are steeped in a history that is also present in Patan. The artisans of Patan are bearers of a continuous tradition going back to early times. As a city of fine arts, Lalitpur is more than a collection of monuments; its ancient buildings are lived in, the temple deities are worshipped, and the traditions are yet alive. Patan Durbar Square one of the remarkable places of Patan has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
What is Stupa?
A stupa is a dome-shaped building erected as a Buddhist shrine, which is typically used for meditation. In common terms, we can say Stupa is a temple of the Buddhist religion. Circumambulation or Pradakshina has been an important ritual and devotional practice in Buddhism since the earliest times, and stupas always have a pradakhshina path around them. According to Buddhist tradition, Emperor Ashoka who ruled from 273 BCE to 232 BCE recovered the relics of the Buddha from the earlier stupas and erected 84,000 stupas across the nation during his tenure.
Who is Ashoka?
Chandragupta Maurya’s grandson Ashoka (Aśoka) (c 304–233 B.C.) took the greatest geographical extent and total power of the Mauryan Empire. However, the astonishing transformation of his kingdom did not occur with the violent violence that characterized the early years of his reign. Rather, it stemmed from his embrace of Buddhism and the message of tolerance and nonviolence that he spread throughout his vast empire.
In addition to his edicts, Ashoka built stupas, monasteries, and other religious buildings at important Buddhist sites such as Sarnath. As a Buddhist emperor, Ashoka believed that Buddhism was beneficial for all people, not just plants and animals, and therefore built several stupas. He also spread Buddhism well to neighboring kingdoms.
The Four Ashoka Stupas of Lalitpur
The four Ashoka Stupas are marked as the four corners of Patan or Lalitpur. It is believed that Emperor Ashoka who expanded Buddhism far and wide came to the valley in the 3rd century BCE and built four Stupas in the four corners of Patan. Those Stupas are a testimony to the ancient culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the Kathmandu Valley.
The Four Ashoka Stupas of Patan are:
- The Lagan Thura (South)
- The Teta Thura (East)
- The Pucho Thura (West)
- The Ibahi Thura (North)
1. LAGAN THURA (SOUTHERN STUPA)
Of the four stupas of Patan, the southern mound is known as Lagan Thura Stupa. It is the largest among the four stupas, measuring 47.40 meters in diameter and 11.80 meters in height. The mound is crowned by a recent structure, a miniature cenotaph added on the top. The shrines of Tathagatas (Buddhas) are believed to have been added in 1878.
This Stupa is located about 200 meters east of Tyagal Tole of Patan near the Ring Road. It is comparatively bigger than the other two Stupas in the perimeter. The perimeter of this Stupa is 75.83 meters and the height is 10.4 meters. It has a fire Vedica (railing) of height 1.6 meters with one Tathagata in each direction. The dome of 4.5m in height is paved with firebricks with a square Harmika on the top. There are three inscriptions which are very difficult to read.
3. PUCHO THURA (WESTERN STUPA):
The Stupa is located on the busy Pulchowk intersection at the western end of Patan. The perimeter of this Stupa is 75.52 meters and it is 12 meters tall. It also has a Vedika of height 1.2 meters with one Tathagata in each direction. The dome is 6.5 meters tall and is paved by firebrick. It does not have Harmika. The thirteen-ring Cakravalis are constructed directly over the dome in a square-shaped pyramid structure. A Yasti caps the top.
4. IBAHI THURA (NORTHERN STUPA):
This Stupa is comparatively more complex and smaller than the other three Stupas. It looks similar to the Swoyambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu. It has a perimeter of 60.62 meters. It has five Buddhas in the Vedika with their consorts except the Tathagata Vairocana. The Vedika is 1.5 tall and the dome is 5.5 meters in height. A square Harmika sits on the top of the dome. We can see a 13-step Cakravali with a Yasti on top of the Harmika.