The stupa is commonly known as Boudhanath, meaning lord of wisdom. The splendid dome of Boudhanath stupa is approximately 120 ft in diameter, 1hec in width and 43 m in height.
Beneath the dome, is an added terrace with a remarkable 108 niches filled with stone sculptured deities of the Nyingmapa School's pantheon. They replace the usual five Buddha shrines in defining the content of the stupa-mandala, these images were almost certainly commissioned all at once by Sakya Zangpo in the 16th century, when the present stupa was built or thereafter.
Boudhanath has been included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
