Some destinations explain themselves easily.
Nepal prefers to be observed.
It is a country where faith lives in plain sight and meaning is layered into everyday life. Visitors often find themselves pausing, not because something is unfamiliar, but because it quietly asks for attention. A pair of painted eyes following you from a stupa. A row of prayer wheels turned by passing hands. A shawl that carries the weight of mountains, weather, and time. A child revered as a goddess.
These are not performances for travellers. They are part of the rhythm of Nepal. And naturally, they invite questions.
Houses with Eyes of Buddha
As you travel across the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, you cannot miss these enormous eyes painted on temples and stupas and sometimes, even on people’s homes. These timeless eyes are an integral part of the iconic representations of Lord Buddha, who was born in the Lumbini in Nepal.
The most prominent ones of course are the ones you see adorning the Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas in national capital Kathmandu and its surrounds. These mystical eyes, represent the all-seeing (omniscient) eyes of the Buddha. Also known as Buddha eyes, they symbolize wisdom, compassion, and protection. The Buddha at the Boudhanath Stupa is represented with just a pair of these enormous eyes with a question mark replacing the spot where the nose would have been. This mark is the numerical No.1 in the Nepali script and symbolises unity.
The Meaning Behind Prayer Wheels in Nepal: Why Every Spin Counts
An intrinsic part of Tibetan Buddhism is the turning or spinning of prayer wheels, also referred to as Mani wheels. As you wander around the Buddhist shrines and monasteries in Nepal you will find people from all walks of life spinning these enormous fixed cylindrical drums which are sacred…even tourists can do it. Made from metal, wood, or stone, these great cylindrical objects are imbued with numerous Buddhist mantras, such as the iconic “Om Mani Padme Hum. So, when the devotees spin the wheel, it is as symbolic as praying; it also a means of seeking karmic cleansing and collecting merit in the eyes of the divine Buddha. You will often find devotees spinning a handheld version which is smaller but as powerful. The act is a reminder of Lord Buddha’s original “turning the wheel of Dharma” (Dharmachakra), symbolising his teachings being spread far and wide for the benefit all.
The Cultural Significance of Pashmina in Nepal: More Than Just a Fabric
Wool which is derived from the from the fine undercoat of the Chyangra goat, a native to Himalayan region, is imbued with rich cultural significance for the people of Nepal. Not only does the pashmina fabric woven from it keep them warm it is deeply associated with its artisanal ethos. Pashmina, remarked for its tradition, skill, and prestige is a significant contributor to Nepal's national economy, while both driving exports and employment. This labour-intensive process involves hand-spinning and weaving techniques that are centuries old, handed down the generations. It a wondrous reminder of Nepal’s rich legacy of a timeless bond with the environment, wildlife, traditional artisanal techniques and generational community wisdom.
Why is the living goddess, the Kumari, worshipped?
She embodies divine feminine energy in human form, revered with deep devotion, while upholding strict traditions of purity and respect.
Kumari, or the ‘Living Goddess’ a pre-pubescent girl is the object of deep reverence and worship for the Newari community of Nepal. She is the earthly manifestation of the divine female energy, the goddess Taleju or Durga. Kumari is chosen with care from a Buddhist family of Shakya clan and accorded great ceremony as she carries the weight of the devotion of countless Nepalis as she is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Goddess Taleju is the propitiatory deity of Nepal and its protector. Living in deep seclusion she only comes out of the sacred Kumari Ghar in Kathmandu, during the annual Indra Jatra. Led through the streets in an elaborate procession she bestows her blessings on her devotees who throng the entire route. Both Patan and Bhaktapur have their own Kumaris who reside in dedicated shrines to the Goddess. The premier ‘Raj Kumari’ resides in Kathmandu on the southern end of the Kathmandu Durbar Square complex.
Noticing Is the Beginning
Nepal does not demand understanding. It rewards attention.
The answers to these questions matter less than the act of noticing them. Spinning a wheel. Meeting the gaze of a stupa. Touching a fabric woven by hand. Standing quietly as a goddess passes by.
In Nepal, curiosity is not a detour from the journey. It is the journey itself.