Ashoka Stupas

Emperor Ashoka lived from 304 to 232 BCE and was the third ruler of the Indian Mauryan Empire, the largest ever in the Indian subcontinent and one of the world’s largest empires at its time. He ruled form 268 BCE to 232 BCE and became a model of kingship in the Buddhist tradition.

Ashok converted to Budhhism after the great Kalinga war. The Kalinga War was fought between the Maurya Empire with Ashoka and the state of Kalinga. The Kalinga war is one of the major and bloodiest battles in world history. The bloodshed of this war is said to have prompted Ashoka to adopt Buddhism.

Ashoka was said to have visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, around 249BC.

There is little evidence to support the fact that the Emperor Ashoka ever visited Kathmandu valley. However, there are four stupas supposedly built by Ashoka in 250 AD. Marking the four corners of Patan, three of these stupas are located in and around Patan, while the fourth one is near Shankamul having a beautiful concrete stupa. It is believed that at the time these Stupas were built, Buddhism flourished in the Kathmandu Valley. These stupas are significant landmarks in Patan. These give the town of Patan an addition to its already glorified beauty. Despite not having concrete evidence, it is believed that these stupas were built up towards the end of the 4th century AD.

The four Stupas are The Lagan Thura (South), the Teta Thura (East), Pucho Thura (West) and the Ibahi Thura (North).

LAGAN THURA – SOUTHERN STUPA

Among the four Stupas of Patan, the southern mound is known as Lagan Khel Stupa or Lagan Thura Stupa. It is marked as the largest amongst the four, measuring 47.40 meters in diameter and 11.80 meters in height. The shrines of Tathagatas were presumable added in 1878. Even with the Stupa standing, there is less or no evidence on when these Stupas were exactly built or why these Stupas have not been constructed in accordance with the Buddhist architecture.

TETA THURA – EASTERN STUPA

The Teta Thura Stupa is located about 200 meters east of Tyagal Tole of Patan near the Eastern ring road. This Stupa is comparatively bigger than the two remaining Stupas in perimeter. The perimeter of this Stupa is 75.83 meters and height 10.4 meters. The dome of 4.5m in height is paved with firebricks. Three stone inscriptions can be found here. Two inscriptions are completely impaired and the remaining one is hardly readable.

PUCHO THURA – WESTERN STUPA

This Stupa is located just at the roadside of Pul Chowk Bus stand on the west end of Patan. The perimeter of this Stupa is 75.52 meters and height 12 meters. The dome that is 6.5 meters tall is too paved by firebrick. Stone inscriptions can be found here. The simplicity is the alluring factor of the Stupas.

IBAHI THURA – NORTHERN STUPA

The Ibahi Thura, the Northern Stupa is closest to Patan Durbar Square and is a ten-minute walk. Its structure is similar to that of Svayambhu Mahacaitya in Kathmandu. It is nearly circular and has a perimeter of 60.62 meters. Again, no evidence is found on when this Stupa was constructed.

These Stupas can be located by asking the locals. Taxi cabs are easily available to visit Patan. A day is enough to visit all of these four authentic Ashoka Stupas.