--- title: Kathmandu — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 3 description: Wikipedia's «Kathmandu», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Kathmandu (Nepali: काठमाडौँ [kaʈʰmaɖʌ̃ũ̯]), locally known as Yẽn (Nepal Bhasa: 𑐫𑐾𑑃‎ [jẽ]) is the capital and largest city of Nepal, situated in the central part of the country within the --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kathmandu/page/3/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Kathmandu # Kathmandu · page 3 From Wikipedia, [«Kathmandu»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathmandu), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kathmandu/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kathmandu/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kathmandu/page/4/) Kathmandu is the most important industrial and commercial centre in Nepal.[210](../../210/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Nepal Stock Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal_Stock_Exchange), the head office of the [national bank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal_Rastra_Bank), the [chamber of commerce](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Nepalese_Chambers_of_Commerce_and_Industry), as well as head offices of national and international banks, telecommunication companies, the electricity authority, and various other national and international organizations are in Kathmandu.[211](../../211/ "tree and pragmatics") The major economic hubs are the [New Road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Road_of_Kathmandu), [Durbar Marg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durbar_Marg), [Ason](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asan,_Kathmandu) and Putalisadak.[\[67\]](../../page/4/#ref-67 "note 67")[212](../../212/ "tree and pragmatics") The economic output of the metropolitan area of around [Rs.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_rupee)[213](../../213/ "tree and pragmatics") 550 billion approximately per year alone is worth more than one third of national GDP (nominal), while the per capita income of $2200 is approximately three times the national average.[\[68\]](../../page/4/#ref-68 "note 68")[214](../../214/ "tree and pragmatics") Kathmandu exports handicrafts, artworks, garments, carpets, [pashmina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashmina), paper; trade accounts for 21% of its revenues.[\[67\]](../../page/4/#ref-67 "note 67")[\[68\]](../../page/4/#ref-68 "note 68")[215](../../215/ "tree and pragmatics") Manufacturing is also important and accounts for 19% of the revenue that Kathmandu generates.[216](../../216/ "tree and pragmatics") Garments and woolen carpets are the most notable manufactured products.[\[68\]](../../page/4/#ref-68 "note 68")[217](../../217/ "tree and pragmatics") Other economic sectors in Kathmandu include agriculture (9%), education (6%), transport (6%), and hotels and restaurants (5%).[\[68\]](../../page/4/#ref-68 "note 68")[218](../../218/ "tree and pragmatics") Kathmandu is famous for lokta paper and pashmina shawls.[219](../../219/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Tourism Main article: [Tourism in Kathmandu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Kathmandu) [Tourism in Nepal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Nepal) is considered an important industry.[220](../../220/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1956, air transportation was established and the construction of [Tribhuvan Highway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribhuvan_Highway), between Kathmandu and [Raxaul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raxaul), was started.[221](../../221/ "tree and pragmatics") Separate organizations were created in Kathmandu to promote the tourism industry, including the [Tourism Development Board](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal_Tourism_Board), the Department of Tourism, and the [Civil Aviation Department](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Aviation_Authority_of_Nepal).[222](../../222/ "tree and pragmatics") Furthermore, Nepal became a member of several international tourist associations.[223](../../223/ "tree and pragmatics") Establishing diplomatic relations with other nations further accentuated this activity.[224](../../224/ "tree and pragmatics") The hotel industry, travel agencies, the training of tourist guides, and targeted publicity campaigns are the chief reasons for the significant growth of this industry in Nepal and in Kathmandu in particular.[\[69\]](../../page/4/#ref-69 "note 69")[225](../../225/ "tree and pragmatics") Tourism is a major source of income for most of the people in the city, with several hundred thousand visitors annually.[226](../../226/ "tree and pragmatics") Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world visit Kathmandu's religious sites such as [Pashupatinath Temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashupatinath_Temple), [Swayambhunath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath), [Boudhanath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudhanath), \[\[Kailashnath Mahadev Statue \]\], [Changu Narayan Temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changu_Narayan_Temple), and [Budhanilkantha Temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budhanilkantha_Temple).[227](../../227/ "tree and pragmatics") From a mere 6,179 tourists in 1961/62, the number increased to 491,504 in 1999/2000.[228](../../228/ "tree and pragmatics") In economic terms, the foreign exchange registered 3.8 percent of the GDP in 1995/96 but then started declining.[229](../../229/ "tree and pragmatics") Following the end of [Nepalese Civil War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_Civil_War), there was a significant rise in the number of tourist arrivals, with 509,956 tourists recorded in 2009.[230](../../230/ "tree and pragmatics") Since then, tourism has improved as the country transitioned into a republic.[231](../../231/ "tree and pragmatics") The high level of tourism is attributed to the natural grandeur of the Himalayas and the cultural heritage of the country which is continuously preserved and restored at great cost.[\[69\]](../../page/4/#ref-69 "note 69")[232](../../232/ "tree and pragmatics") The neighbourhood of [Thamel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thamel) is Kathmandu's primary go-to place for tourists and is widely regarded as the center of Kathmandu's nightlife, packed with guest houses, restaurants, shops, and bookstores, catering to tourists.[233](../../233/ "tree and pragmatics") Another neighbourhood of growing popularity is Jhamel, a name for Jhamsikhel that was coined to rhyme with Thamel.[\[70\]](../../page/4/#ref-70 "note 70")[234](../../234/ "tree and pragmatics") [Jhochhen Tol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Freak_Street), also known as Freak Street remains a traveler haunt.[235](../../235/ "tree and pragmatics") This original meeting place for international guests in Kathmandu became known in the 1960s and 1970s through [folklore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folklore) told by [hippies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippie) in Europe and North America.[\[71\]](../../page/4/#ref-71 "note 71")[236](../../236/ "tree and pragmatics") With the opening of the tourist industry after the change in the political scenario of Nepal in 1950, the hotel industry drastically improved.[\[72\]](../../page/4/#ref-72 "note 72")[237](../../237/ "tree and pragmatics") Now Kathmandu boasts several luxury hotels with some including casinos.[238](../../238/ "tree and pragmatics") [Ason](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asan,_Kathmandu) is a bazaar and ceremonial square on the old trade route to Tibet.[\[71\]](../../page/4/#ref-71 "note 71")[239](../../239/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Government and public services ### Civic administration Kathmandu Municipal Corporation (KMC) is the chief nodal agency for the administration of Kathmandu.[240](../../240/ "tree and pragmatics") The Municipality of Kathmandu was upgraded to a metropolitan city in 1995.[241](../../241/ "tree and pragmatics") Metropolitan Kathmandu is divided into five sectors: the Central Sector, the East Sector, the North Sector, the City Core and the West Sector.[242](../../242/ "tree and pragmatics") For civic administration, the city is further divided into 32 administrative wards.[243](../../243/ "tree and pragmatics") The Council administers the Metropolitan area of Kathmandu city through its 177 elected representatives and 20 nominated members.[244](../../244/ "tree and pragmatics") It holds biannual meetings to review, process and approve the annual budget and make major policy decisions.[\[38\]](../../page/4/#ref-38 "note 38")[\[73\]](../../page/4/#ref-73 "note 73")[245](../../245/ "tree and pragmatics") The ward's profile documents for the 32 wards prepared by the Kathmandu Metropolitan Council is detailed and provides information for each ward on population, the structure and condition of houses, the type of roads, educational, health and financial institutions, entertainment facilities, parking space, security provisions, etc. It also includes lists of development projects completed, on-going and planned, along with informative data about the cultural heritage, festivals, historical sites and the local inhabitants.[246](../../246/ "tree and pragmatics") Ward 16 is the largest, with an area of 437.4 ha; ward 26 is the smallest, with an area of 4 ha.[\[74\]](../../page/4/#ref-74 "note 74")[247](../../247/ "tree and pragmatics") Kathmandu is the headquarters of the surrounding [Kathmandu District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathmandu_District).[248](../../248/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Law and order The Metropolitan Police is the main law enforcement agency in the city.[249](../../249/ "tree and pragmatics") It is headed by a [commissioner of police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_commissioner).[250](../../250/ "tree and pragmatics") The Metropolitan Police is a division of the [Nepal Police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal_Police), and the administrative control lies with the [Ministry of Home Affairs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Home_Affairs_%28Nepal%29).[251](../../251/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Fire service The fire service, known as the Barun Yantra Karyalaya (वारुण यन्त्र कार्यालय), opened its first station in Kathmandu in 1937 with a single vehicle.[\[75\]](../../page/4/#ref-75 "note 75")[252](../../252/ "tree and pragmatics") An iron tower was erected to monitor the city and watch for a fire.[253](../../253/ "tree and pragmatics") As a precautionary measure, firemen were sent to the areas which were designated as accident-prone areas.[\[75\]](../../page/4/#ref-75 "note 75")[254](../../254/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1944, the fire service was extended to the neighbouring cities of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.[255](../../255/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1966, a fire service was established in [Kathmandu central airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribhuvan_International_Airport).[\[75\]](../../page/4/#ref-75 "note 75")[256](../../256/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1975, a West German government donation added seven fire engines to Kathmandu's fire service.[\[75\]](../../page/4/#ref-75 "note 75")[257](../../257/ "tree and pragmatics") The fire service in the city is also overlooked by an international non-governmental organization, the Firefighters Volunteer Association of Nepal (FAN), which was established in 2000 with the purpose of raising public awareness about fire and improving safety.[\[75\]](../../page/4/#ref-75 "note 75")[258](../../258/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Electricity and water supply Electricity in Kathmandu is regulated and distributed by the [Nepal Electricity Authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal_Electricity_Authority) (NEA).[259](../../259/ "tree and pragmatics") Water supply and sanitation facilities are provided by the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL).[260](../../260/ "tree and pragmatics") There is a severe shortage of water for household purposes such as drinking, bathing, cooking and washing and irrigation.[261](../../261/ "tree and pragmatics") People have been using bottled mineral water, water from tank trucks and from the ancient [dhunge dharas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhunge_dhara) (ढुङ्गे धारा) for all the purposes related to water.[262](../../262/ "tree and pragmatics") The city water shortage should be solved by the completion of the much plagued [Melamchi Water Supply Project](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melamchi_Water_Supply_Project) by the end of 2019.[263](../../263/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite continued efforts by governmental bodies, Kathmandu is one of the most polluted cities in Nepal, largely due to overpopulation.[\[76\]](../../page/4/#ref-76 "note 76")[\[77\]](../../page/4/#ref-77 "note 77")[264](../../264/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Waste management Waste management may be through composting in municipal waste management units, and at houses with home composting units.[265](../../265/ "tree and pragmatics") Both systems are common and established in India and neighbouring countries.[\[78\]](../../page/4/#ref-78 "note 78")[266](../../266/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Architecture and cityscape Main article: [Architecture of Kathmandu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Kathmandu) The ancient trade route between India and [Tibet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet) that passed through Kathmandu enabled a fusion of artistic and architectural traditions from other cultures to be amalgamated with local art and architecture.[\[79\]](../../page/4/#ref-79 "note 79")[267](../../267/ "tree and pragmatics") The monuments of Kathmandu City have been influenced over the centuries by Hindu and Buddhist religious practices.[268](../../268/ "tree and pragmatics") The architectural treasure of the Kathmandu valley has been categorized under the well-known seven groups of heritage monuments and buildings.[269](../../269/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2006 UNESCO declared these seven groups of monuments as a [World Heritage Site](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_Nepal) (WHS).[270](../../270/ "tree and pragmatics") The seven monuments zones cover an area of 189 ha, with the buffer zone extending to 2394 ha.[271](../../271/ "tree and pragmatics") The Seven Monument Zones inscribed originally in 1979 and with a minor modification in 2006 are the [Durbar squares](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durbar_square) of [Hanuman Dhoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathmandu_Durbar_Square), [Patan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patan_Durbar_Square) and [Bhaktapur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaktapur_Durbar_Square), the Hindu temples of [Pashupatinath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashupatinath_Temple) and [Changunarayan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changu_Narayan_Temple), the Buddhist stupas of [Swayambhunath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath) and [Boudhanath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudhanath).[\[80\]](../../page/4/#ref-80 "note 80")[\[81\]](../../page/4/#ref-81 "note 81")[272](../../272/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Durbar Squares Main article: [Kathmandu Durbar Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathmandu_Durbar_Square), [Hanuman Dhoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman_Dhoka) The literal meaning of [Durbar Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durbar_Square) is a "place of palaces".[273](../../273/ "tree and pragmatics") There are three preserved Durbar Squares in Kathmandu valley and one unpreserved in [Kirtipur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirtipur).[274](../../274/ "tree and pragmatics") The Durbar Square of Kathmandu is in the old city and has heritage buildings representing four kingdoms (Kantipur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur); the earliest being the Licchavi dynasty.[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") The complex has 50 temples and is distributed in two quadrangles of the Durbar Square.[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") The outer quadrangle has the [Kasthamandap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasthamandap), [Kumari Ghar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumari_%28goddess%29), and Shiva-Parvati Temple; the inner quadrangle has the [Hanuman Dhoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanuman_Dhoka) palace.[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") The squares were severely damaged in the [April 2015 earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2015_Nepal_earthquake).[278](../../278/ "tree and pragmatics") Hanuman Dhoka is a complex of structures with the royal palace of the Malla kings and of the [Shah dynasty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_dynasty).[279](../../279/ "tree and pragmatics") It is spread over five acres.[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") The eastern wing (with ten courtyards) is the oldest part, dating to the mid-16th century.[281](../../281/ "tree and pragmatics") It was expanded by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century with many temples.[282](../../282/ "tree and pragmatics") The royal family lived in this palace until 1886 when they moved to Narayanhiti Palace.[283](../../283/ "tree and pragmatics") The stone inscription outside is in fifteen languages.[284](../../284/ "tree and pragmatics") [Kumari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumari_%28goddess%29) Ghar is a palace in the centre of the Kathmandu city, next to the Durbar square where a royal Kumari selected from several Kumaris resides.[285](../../285/ "tree and pragmatics") Kumari (or Kumari Devi), is the tradition of worshipping young pre-pubescent girls as manifestations of the divine female energy (or devi) in South Asian countries.[286](../../286/ "tree and pragmatics") In Nepal, the selection process is very rigorous.[287](../../287/ "tree and pragmatics") Previously, during the time of the monarchy, the queen and the priests used to appoint the proposed Kumari with delicate process of astrological examination and physical examination of 32 'gunas'.[288](../../288/ "tree and pragmatics") The china (चिना), an ancient Hindu astrological report of the Kumari and the reigning king, has been said to be similar.[289](../../289/ "tree and pragmatics") The Kumari is believed to be a bodily incarnation of the goddess Taleju (the Nepali name for Durga) until she menstruates, after which it is believed that the goddess vacates her body.[290](../../290/ "tree and pragmatics") Serious illness or a major loss of blood from an injury also causes her to revert to common status.[291](../../291/ "tree and pragmatics") The current Kumari, Trishna Shakya, age three at the time of appointment, was installed in September 2017 succeeding Matina Shakya who was the first Kumari of Kathmandu after the end of the monarchy.[\[82\]](../../page/4/#ref-82 "note 82")[292](../../292/ "tree and pragmatics") [Kasthamandap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasthamandap) is a three-storeyed temple enshrining an image of [Gorakhnath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorakhnath).[293](../../293/ "tree and pragmatics") It was built in the 16th century in the [pagoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagoda) style.[294](../../294/ "tree and pragmatics") The name of Kathmandu is a derivative of the word Kasthamandap.[295](../../295/ "tree and pragmatics") It was built under the reign of King Laxmi Narsingha Malla.[296](../../296/ "tree and pragmatics") Kasthamandap stands at the intersection of two ancient trade routes linking India and Tibet at [Maru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maru,_Kathmandu) square.[297](../../297/ "tree and pragmatics") It was originally built as a rest house for travellers.[298](../../298/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Pashupatinath temple Main article: [Pashupatinath Temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashupatinath_Temple) The Pashupatinath Temple (पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर) is a famous 5th century [Hindu temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_temple) dedicated to [Shiva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva).[299](../../299/ "tree and pragmatics") Located on the banks of the [Bagmati River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bagmati_River), the [Pashupatinath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shree_Pashupatinath) Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu.[\[83\]](../../page/4/#ref-83 "note 83")[300](../../300/ "tree and pragmatics") It served as the seat of national deity, Pashupatinath, until Nepal was secularized.[301](../../301/ "tree and pragmatics") However, a significant part of the temple was destroyed by [Mughal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empire) invaders in the 14th century and little or nothing remains of the original 5th-century temple exterior.[302](../../302/ "tree and pragmatics") The temple as it stands today was built in the 19th century, although the image of the bull and the black four-headed image of Pashupati are at least 300 years old.[\[84\]](../../page/4/#ref-84 "note 84")[303](../../303/ "tree and pragmatics") The temple is a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site).[\[84\]](../../page/4/#ref-84 "note 84")[\[85\]](../../page/4/#ref-85 "note 85")[304](../../304/ "tree and pragmatics") [Shivaratri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri), or the night of Shiva, is the most important festival that takes place here, attracting thousands of devotees and [sadhus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhu).[\[86\]](../../page/4/#ref-86 "note 86")[305](../../305/ "tree and pragmatics") Believers in Pashupatinath (mainly [Hindus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism)) are allowed to enter the temple premises, but non-Hindu visitors are allowed to view the temple only from the across the Bagmati River.[\[84\]](../../page/4/#ref-84 "note 84")[306](../../306/ "tree and pragmatics") The priests who perform the services at this temple have been [Brahmins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin) from [Karnataka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnataka) in [southern India](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_India) since the time of Malla king [Yaksha Malla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaksha_Malla).[\[87\]](../../page/4/#ref-87 "note 87")[307](../../307/ "tree and pragmatics") This tradition is believed to have been started at the request of [Adi Shankara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara) who sought to unify the states of [Bhāratam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_for_India), a region in south Asia believed to be ruled by a mythological king [Bharata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharata_%28Mahabharata%29), by encouraging cultural exchange.[308](../../308/ "tree and pragmatics") This procedure is followed in other temples around India, which were sanctified by Adi Shankara.[309](../../309/ "tree and pragmatics") The temple is built in the [pagoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagoda) style of architecture, with cubic constructions and carved wooden rafters (tundal) on which they rest, and two-level roofs made of copper and gold.[310](../../310/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Boudhanath Main article: [Boudhanath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudhanath) Boudhanath (बौद्ध स्तुप; also written as Bouddhanath, Bodhnath, Baudhanath or the Khāsa Chaitya), is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, along with the [Swayambhunath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath).[311](../../311/ "tree and pragmatics") It is a very popular tourist site.[312](../../312/ "tree and pragmatics") Boudhanath is known as Khāsti by [Newars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newars) and as Bauddha or Bodhnāth by speakers of [Nepali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepali_language).[\[88\]](../../page/4/#ref-88 "note 88")[313](../../313/ "tree and pragmatics") About 11 km from the centre and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive [mandala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala) makes it one of the largest spherical [stupas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupa) in Nepal.[\[89\]](../../page/4/#ref-89 "note 89")[314](../../314/ "tree and pragmatics") Boudhanath became a UNESCO [World Heritage Site](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site) in 1979.[315](../../315/ "tree and pragmatics") The base of the stupa has 108 small depictions of the Dhyani Buddha [Amitabha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amitabha).[316](../../316/ "tree and pragmatics") It is surrounded with a brick wall with 147 niches, each with four or five [prayer wheels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_wheel) engraved with the mantra, [Om mani padme hum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_mani_padme_hum).[\[90\]](../../page/4/#ref-90 "note 90")[317](../../317/ "tree and pragmatics") At the northern entrance where visitors must pass is a shrine dedicated to [Ajima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajima), the goddess of [smallpox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox).[\[90\]](../../page/4/#ref-90 "note 90")[318](../../318/ "tree and pragmatics") Every year the stupa attracts many Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims who perform full body prostrations in the inner lower enclosure, walk around the stupa with prayer wheels, chant, and pray.[\[90\]](../../page/4/#ref-90 "note 90")[319](../../319/ "tree and pragmatics") Thousands of prayer flags are hoisted up from the top of the stupa downwards and dot the perimeter of the complex.[320](../../320/ "tree and pragmatics") The influx of many Tibetan refugees from China has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan [gompas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gompa) ([monasteries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery)) around Boudhanath.[321](../../321/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kathmandu/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kathmandu/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kathmandu/page/4/) - ← previous: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kathmandu/page/2/) - next →: [page 4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Kathmandu/page/4/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)