DHANDO CHAITYA

SUBMITTED BY
SMRITI NEUPANE
073BAE239
Chabahil is famous
for its Licchavi
stupa, called the
Dhando Chaitya
considered by
many historians to
be the
oldest Buddhist
Stupa in the
valley. 
Righton the Ring Road is the imposing
Dhando Chaitya the fourth largest in the
Kathmandu area after Bodhnath,
Swayambhunath and the Kathesimbhu
Stupa near Thahiti Chowk.
The stupa has
attracted Buddhist 
monks and other
pilgrims over the
centuries.
According to the
inscriptions found
within it, it was
built by the Indian
princess Charuma
ti, daughter of
Indian Emperor
Ashoka, who was
married to a
Nepalese prince
in Kathmandu
Surrounded by yellow
fences, it has a well
designed main
entrance. The white
chaitya has a
magnificent trayodashi
on top. Four Buddhas
adorn its four sides and
many miniature stupas
have been carved all
around it along with
some stone scriptures. 
Lungtas (prayer
flags) in vibrant
colors flow down
from the top of the
trayodashi. Manays
(Buddhist prayer
wheels) encircle the
stupa and right
below them you can
light the oil lamps,
which look
marvelous in the
evening time.
After many years of speculation regarding
the origin of this stupa, it is now credited
to Charumati, the youngest daughter of
King Ashoka.
Itis believed that on her father’s
advice, she came to the Kathmandu
valley to spread the teachings of the
Buddha. She is said to have married
here. Some are of the opinion that she
married King Devpala after whom the
area was named Dev Patan. 
Fascinating facts came to light during the
renovation of the Charumati stupa. A
stone sculpture containing the details of
its history was recovered. Another
sculpture that is said to be older than the
stone sculpture at Changu Narayan, was
also uncovered
 Ithas been rebuilt numerous times, most
recently in 2015, after damage from the
Gorkha earthquake.
Girwan Juddha Shah is said to be the first to
renovate it. During the Malla period, it was
restored twice. The recent renovation was carried
out by Shree Dhan Dhoj Chaitya Renovation
Committee and its members include Narattam
Baidya, who worked as the Chairman, Wangchu
Sherpa as Treasurer and Rev. Tapassi Dhamma as
Co-Treasurer
THANK YOU