Surrounded by a mountainous landscape, the World Peace Pagoda Nepal is a world-famous tourist attraction. This beautiful white monument holds prime relevance for Buddhists worldwide. Pokhara Shanti Stupa (or World Peace Pagoda, Nepal) is located on the Anadu Hills of the Pumdi Bumdi Village Development Committee in the district of Kaski, Nepal. It was built in 1973 and is situated at 1100 metres. It gives fascinating views of Fewa Lake, the Annapurna range, and Pokhara Valley. Nepal has two of the eight peace pagodas in the world. The first is Lord Buddha’s birthplace, the Shanti stupa in Lumbini, and the other is the Shanti stupa in Pokhara.
World Peace Pagoda History
Image Credit: Ashishranamgr1 for Wikimedia Commons
The World Peace Pagoda, Nepal, was built after World War II. Nichidatsu Fuiji laid the foundation on 12 September 1973, along with the Nipponzan Myohoji Daisang group of monks. He is well known for building most of the stupas across the world. After meeting Mahatma Gandhi, the coloniser of peace, in 1931, Nichidatsu surrendered his life to promote nonviolence, peace, and harmony and was determined to construct 100 peace stupas worldwide.
The very first World Peace Pagoda built under him appeared in 1947 in the Nagasaki and Hiroshima towns of Japan to bring hope for peace after the nuclear bombings. 80 World Peace Pagodas exist in different parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, and America. World Peace Pagoda Nepal ranks 71st in the list of 80 peace pagodas. In 1973, Meen Bahadur Gurung met Nichidatsu Fuiji through Daharamshila Buddha Vihar Nadipur, Pokhara. At the same time, they inaugurated the pagoda’s construction.
Must Read: Nepal In January
Architecture Of The Building
Image Credit: Michael Goodine for Wikimedia Commons
Sitting on the Anadu mountains in the Meen Thumki region of Pumdivhumdi, Pokhara, the World Peace Pagoda Nepal is built in ancient Japanese style. This snow-white beauty is 115 ft in height and 344 ft wide. This shanti stupa comprises two tiers. The first tier has the shanti stupa itself. It has become one of Pokhara, Nepal’s most important tourist attractions. The second tier has four Buddha statues sent from different parts of the world, adding to the mesmerising beauty of the World Peace Pagoda Nepal. The Dharmachakra Mudra statue was received from Japan, the Mahaparinivana statue from Sri Lanka, Kushinagar from Thailand, and Lumbini from Nepal.
These statues are placed in such a way that each one of them faces a direction. The statue from Thailand is placed in the North direction, the Japanese statue is in the West direction, and the statue from Sri Lanka is in the east. The statue from Nepal is placed in the south direction to represent the Buddha’s position when he was born. From the bank of Lake Fewa, spiral walkways and stairs take you up to the majestic World Peace Pagoda. The stairs around the stupa are made of white marble, representing peace.
World Peace Pagoda Location
Image Credit: Shahidul Hasan Roman for Wikimedia Commons
This beautiful Buddhist monument, World Peace Pagoda, is on the Anadu hill of the former Pumdi Bhumdi Village Development Committee, Kaski district, Nepal. It is now a part of the Pokhara city of Nepal. It is 7 km away from Mahendrapool. There are hiking and cycling tracks to help tourists reach the World Peace Pagoda.
Suggested Read: Nepal In December
Tourist Places Near World Peace Pagoda
Here is a list of places near the Pagoda. Then, embark on your trip to collect beautiful memories.
1. Maya Devi Temple (3.1 km away from World Peace Pagoda)
Image Credit: Bibek Raj Pandeya for Wikipedia
It is an ancient Buddhist temple recognised by UNESCO World Heritage Site. Maya Devi Temple is traditionally considered the birthplace of lord Gautam Buddha and, hence, holds a prominent importance for the Buddhist community. Adjacent to the temple is a sacred pool, known as Pushkarni, and a sacred garden. Maya Devi was lord Buddha’s mother, so the temple got its name. Not only religious, but this place is well known for its architecture, archaeological importance, and beauty.
Entrance fee: Indian tourists – no entry fee; SAARC Citizens – NPR 100; Foreigners – NPR 200.
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm.
2. Royal Thai Monastery (1.9 km away from World Peace Pagoda)
Image Credit: Lureypema for Wikimedia Commons
The Royal Thai Monastery has long been dedicated to Buddhist practices. This beautiful white marble building has a blue-roofed meditation centre. The walls inside the temple have attractive designs and carvings, making it a perfect tourist spot. The monastery’s peaceful environment is ideal for those who wish to sit down for some time or to meditate. The ambience is so beautiful and calm that it attracts many visitors daily.
Entrance fee: NRP 20 for Nepali citizens (NRP 10 for Students), NRP 80 for Indian tourists, NRP 400 for SAARC Nationals, and NRP 700 for foreign Nationals.
Timings: 8 am to 12 pm; 1 pm to 5 pm. (Offers lunch from 12 pm to 1 pm)
Suggested Read: Shopping In Kathmandu
3. Lakeside Pokhara (2 km away from World Peace Pagoda)
Image Credit: Wolfgang Beyer for Wikimedia Commons
Pokhara is divided into two parts: Lakeside Pokhara and Old City. While the Old City is the commercial hub, Lakeside Pokhara is the main tourist attraction. It surrounds the Fewa Lake and has an alluring view. This aqua beauty is surrounded by hills, greenery, and seasonal flowers, adding to its charm. The freshwater of Fewa Lake reflects the enchanting blue sky, giving it a breathtaking view to all the visitors. World Peace Pagoda, Varahi Mandir, Gurkha Museum, and Devi’s Fall are attractions you may visit.
Entrance Fee: Free entry for all
Timings: Opens throughout the day
How To Reach World Peace Pagoda Pokhara
Image Credit: Tulsi Bhagat for Wikimedia Commons
Nepal is very well connected to countries worldwide. Once you reach Nepal, there are many ways to get to Pokhara.
- By Road: Regular buses run from Kathmandu to Pokhara city, taking around 6 hours to reach your final destination. The path to the World Peace pagoda is 4 km long. A 2-3 hour hike will take you to the Shanti Stupa, the final destination.
- By air: Pokhara (PKR) Airport is the nearest international airport, 3 km away. You may also catch a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which takes only 30 minutes to reach Pokhara, Nepal. You may take a cab or taxi to reach the World Peace Pagoda.
- By boat: If you are near Fewa Lake, you can go for the multi-coloured boats that float across the lake. These boats will take you to the starting point of the World Peace Pagoda, Nepal hiking track. Going through boats takes around 20 to 30 minutes, and you may also ask the boatsman to wait until you return so that you can return to the same ship.
- By foot: If you are anywhere around the Shanti Stupa, we suggest you take a walk there. The beauty of its surroundings is irreplaceable. Once you reach the stupa, the stairs are a 4 km-long path that takes 2 to 3 hours to reach the World Peace Pagoda.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Kathmandu
Best Time To Visit
Image Credit: Manuspanicker for Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit the World Peace Pagoda in Nepal is October and November. The weather is pleasant, neither hot nor cold, making it the perfect time to visit the Shanti Stupa.
Also, to capture the most of the World Peace pagoda, you should visit it early, preferably before sunrise. Watching the sunrise from the top of the Anadu hills will be a mesmerising experience. Sunrays slowly spread all over the Fewa lake and covered the sky with its beauty.
Further Read: Shopping In Nepal
World Peace Pagoda, Nepal, has a majestic view. Situated atop the Anadu hill, the World Peace pagoda is surrounded by the Fewa Lake. It gives a photogenic view to all the visitors. The monument, made of white marble, is a prominent attraction for Buddhist followers. The hiking track at the Shanti stupa is a feature that may excite a lot of visitors. Not only the World Peace Pagoda but the surroundings are also alluring. There is a small cafe near the monument, where you can enjoy food and take shelter in case of bad weather. So what’s stopping you now? Plan a trip to Nepal to visit the World Peace Pagoda today!
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Credit: PageantUpdatess for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About World Peace Pagoda Nepal
Where is the World Peace Pagoda located?
World Peace Pagoda, or Shanti Stupa, is located on the Anadu hills in the Pokhara district of Nepal. You can visit this place to collect the beautiful memories.
How can we reach the world peace pagoda in Nepal?
Pokhara district is very well-connected through different means of transport with countries worldwide. Take the appropriate transport to reach this place at affordable prices.
How many world peace pagodas are there in the world?
There are 80 peace pagodas in the world, two of which are in Nepal: Shanti Stupa in Pokhara and Shanti Stupa in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
What is the entry fee of World Peace Pagoda?
The World Peace Pagoda does not charge an entry fee. Everyone is allowed to enter the premises for free. You do not need to pay any charges.
How much time does it take to explore the Shanti stupa?
It may take around an hour to explore the entire Shanti Stupa. From its vantage points, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the mountains.
People Also Read:
