The short answer
A pagoda temple has several stacked roofs that taper towards the top, often with carved wooden struts under the eaves, as at Nyatapola in Bhaktapur. A shikhara temple is built of brick or stone with a curved tower, as in the Krishna temple in Patan. A stupa is a solid dome with a spire, such as Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, and is a Buddhist monument rather than a building you enter.
Once you recognise the three shapes, a walk through Durbar Square becomes easier to read. Look at the roofs, the base steps, the guardian figures and the painted eyes on stupas. A local guide can explain which deity each one honours.
Key facts
- Pagoda
- Stacked roofs, carved struts
- Shikhara
- Curved tower, stone or brick
- Stupa
- Solid dome with spire
- See
- Bhaktapur, Patan, Boudhanath
How it works
- Look at the roofStacked or curved.
- Check the baseSteps and plinths.
- Spot the figuresGuardians and animals.
- Ask the guideWhich deity.
Insider tip
Visit early in the morning when light and crowds are friendlier.
Avoid this
Do not climb onto temple plinths unless signs allow it.
Related questions
Is a pagoda Chinese?
The form travelled and developed in Nepal; Newar craftsmen are renowned for it.
Can I enter a stupa?
No. You walk around it clockwise.
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