Sunday, July 31, 2011

7. WORLD PEACE PAGODA (SHANTI STUPA)


This is located on the peak of ‘Anandu Mountain’ in Pumdi VDC, Kaski, Pokhara. The Stupa lies at 21 hundred feet above from sea level and is about a Kilometer away from the Sidhartha Highway. Located on the peak it stands as a beacon of peace and cam be seen from every corner of the Pokhara valley. Shanti Stupa is also the only stupa in Pokhara located at such a great height. Construction of the Stupa first begun in 1973 but a year later owing to some difficulties construction work was stopped for some time. After the restoration of democracy in country, once again construction work was resumed in full swing. Within ten years eventually this Stupa was completed on 5 November 1999. This Stupa itself is spread over an area of 100 meters of area and its height 35 feet. The Stupa has been pointed white in colour. “The white colour is a symbol of peace therefore we have painted this Stupa in white colour .” says a senior monk at the Stupa. On the peak of stupa a golden steeple is mounted, which is quite visible even from a great distance. There are four majestic statue of the Buddha placed in the four different directions. The first statue faces the east and it was brought from Japan. Similarly, one the southern side the statue was installed through the collective efforts of Buddhist devotees in Nepal. The Buddha statue on the Western side was brought from Sri Lanka while the one on the Northern side was brought from Thailand. Among other things, a small Helipad has also been constructed here.

No comments:

Post a Comment