Abundant with temples, mountains and monuments, the historically rich lanes of Nepal tell a story deep rooted in tradition and generosity. These structures could not survive the wrath of the earthquake that ravaged Nepal in April 2015 and are being reconstructed, but the tale behind their existence is no less enthralling.

In the Katmandu Valley Padmasambhava made a pilgrimage to Sankhu where he met Shakyadevi, a daughter of the king abandoned after her mother's death, and took her to Yanglesho. Vairotsana, leaving Tibet after his teachings, also stopped in Nepal and offered a golden icon to the monastery of Sankhu. Pic by@prashanthvishwanathan at Sankhu.

Maintenance crew climbs down the dome of Bouddhanath (reflected on shop window) as its reconstruction begins in Katmandu Valley. The stupa was built by a mother, Jajima, who looked after her chickens. She wanted to build a Stupa very much so she asked the King of Nepal for permission to get the land. Normally, the king would not do so, but somehow, may be due to her Karma, the king said, "Okay, it can be done". This just slipped out of his mouth. This is why the Tibetans call it "Jarung Kashor Chorten" where Jarung means "it can be done" , Kashor means "slipped out of the mouth" and Chorten means "Stupa". That's the name of Bouddhanath Stupa. Pic by @prashanthvishwanathan

Maintenance crew climbs down the dome of Bouddhanath (reflected on shop window) as its reconstruction begins in Katmandu Valley. The stupa was built by a mother, Jajima, who looked after her chickens. They were an extremely poor family, I think. She wanted to build a stupa very much so she asked the King of Nepal for permission to get the land. Normally, the king would not give such permission, but somehow, may be due to her Karma, the king said, "Okay, it can be done". This just slipped out of his mouth. This is why the Tibetans call it "Jarung Kashor Chorten" where Jarung means "it can be done" , Kashor means "slipped out of the mouth" and Chorten means "Stupa". That's the name of Bouddhanath Stupa. Pic by @prashanthvishwanathan #rovingcorrespondent

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A local once said " King Mahendra used to consider his citizens as his children. To check on their well being he used to observe from the tallest tower (Taleju temple in Katmandu) if fire was lit in all the houses of his subjects. Only after this indication that everyone was being fed, he used to partake his meal!" Today the structure is compromised but still stands. The other temples around the city were not so lucky. The Taleju temple was built in 1564 by King Mahendra Malla. There is a mystery behind its shape. It is said that the temple was built in the shape of a Yantra, a mystical diagram that has magical powers, due to a suggestion made straight by Goddess Taleju herself. According to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Taleju Bhawani made a special appearance at the temple ceremony. Legend has it that the Goddess was disguised as a bee. Pic by @prashanthvishwanathan

A local told me " King Mahendra used to consider his citizens as his children. To check on their well being he used to observe from the tallest tower (Taleju temple in Katmandu) if fire was lit in all the houses of his subjects. Only after this indication that everyone was being fed, he used to partake his meal!" Today the structure is compromised but still stands. The other temples around the city were not so lucky. The Taleju temple was built in 1564 by King Mahendra Malla. There is a mystery behind its shape. It is said that the temple was built in the shape of a Yantra, a mystical diagram that has magical powers, due to a suggestion made straight by Goddess Taleju herself. According to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, Taleju Bhawani made a special appearance at the temple ceremony. Legend has it that the Goddess was disguised as a bee. Pic by @prashanthvishwanathan #Nepal #rovingcorrespondent

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