Image title: Turning the prayer wheels

There are many prayer wheels to be found around the Boudhanath Stupa. First of all there are the medium-sized prayer wheels fixed in the walls of the Stupa. Many Buddhists, other religious followers and tourists walk around the Stupa turning these prayers wheels as they go. Besides the mantras on the outside, the wheels contain countless of mantras inside of them, written on paper. These mantras, wishing happiness and welfare to all sentient beings, are said to activate (read: spread around) upon the wheel being turned.

There are also larger prayer wheels found elsewhere around the Stupa and also one giant wheel found inside a dark chamber.

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The Boudhanath Stupa is an important destination for Buddhist religious followers situated in the Kathmandu valley. This ancient Stupa (holy burial mound) dates to at least the 7th century and is said to contain the remains of Kassapa Buddha, who is generally believed to be the third of the five Buddhas of the present aeon.