The changing nature of Boudha’s relationship with water.

Originally published June 28, 2021, by The Record Nepal.

Boudha once had a long and rich relationship with water but with the explosion of concrete houses and paved roads, fresh water is becoming more and more scarce.

Many of veteran photographer Mani Lama’s most iconic images are that of the Boudha stupa, which often end up as postcards. This is no surprise, as Lama was born in Boudha.

“I used to live right in front of Boudha. Trees used to surround Boudha,” recalls the 74-year-old Lama.  

Lama is able to trace his lineage back to the “60 ghare Tamangs” — the 60 Tamang families who have lived around the Boudha stupa for generations. And in the many decades of his life, Lama, along with other old residents of the area, has witnessed the gradual changes to the Boudha of his youth.