The great stupa is of uncertain origin, but scholars date it to the reign of Manadeva (464-505) or Sivadeva (590-604). Legend has it that a poor woman approached the king to ask for land to build a stupa. The king told her he would grant her as much land as would fit inside a buffalo hide. The woman then cut the buffalo hide into strips and formed a large circle, which is believed to be where the Boudhanath stupa now stands. Throughout the day, pilgrims can be seen wandering around, turning the hundreds of prayer wheels as they circle the great stupa three times, but the place becomes more magical when the sun sets. At this time, Tibetans come to pray and offer their prayers to Buddha. The entire site is filled with a fantastic mysticism, enveloped in the smell of incense, the light of the sunset, the sounds of mantras and the waving of the multicoloured flags hanging from the stupa.
