| Kathmandu Temples - Satellite Dish and Stupa |
| What's a stupa? Here's Lonely
Planet's description: "Stupas were originally built to house holy relics, or to
commemorate an event or place, with a structure that symbolizes Buddhist
beliefs. They are never hollow. The base of the stupa takes the shape of
a mandala (symbolizing earth); on this four tiered base sits the dome
(symbolizing water); then comes the spire (symbolizing fire); the umbrella
(symbolizing air); and the pinnacle (symbolizing ether). The Buddha's watchful
eyes gaze out in four directions from the square base of the spire. There
is a third eye between and above the two normal eyes and the 'nose' is not
a nose at all but the Nepali number one, signifying the unity of all life."
In the background, also pointing skyward, is a modern stupa of sorts--a
TV satellite dish. |
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 Photo by Catherine Ley |