This mystery cache will allow you to discover nine Buddhist Stupas around the old town of Patan. A Stupa is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics (śarīra - typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns) that is used as a place of meditation. A related architectural term is a Chaitya, which is a combination of a stupa and a vihara.
The nine Stupas form a continuous > shaped path from start to finish with a length of about 3km. It will take you 2 to 3 hours to complete the circuit if you take your time.
At each Stupa, you will find a code to help you navigate to the next one. You can use the coordinates of course, but some of the small streets will be a challenge for good GPS signal. A good back-up is the Google Map app where you can search for the next Stupa by name and find walking directions to it.
You could easily take a taxi to the first Stupa. Alternatively, you could take a bus to the Lagankhel bus station and walk 2 minutes from there. At the end of your adventure, the cache will be within 150 meters of the last Stupa. From here, you will find food, refreshments and plenty of transportation options.
Decryption: This cache uses ciphers to decode the two clues for each waypoint: the name of the Stupa and a portion of the longitude (5 digits). To avoid guess work, these two clues will not always be listed in the same order. This cypher table lists 7 different Code Bases. In the table, Ø stands for zero. The Code Base to be used for each Stupa is the clue you are looking for. If you want to "cheat", an approximate projection to the next Stupa is provided in the Hints to make sure you are headed in the right direction.
Finally, some of the numeric signs used in the clues are written in Nepali. Here is a conversion table:
TO FACILITATE THE DECRYPTION, YOU SHOULD PRINT THIS WORK SHEET ON A FULL PAGE OF PAPER AND TAKE IT WITH YOU ON THE HUNT. I WILL GREATLY HELP YOU RESOLVE THIS MYSTERY CACHE.
Additional Notes: This adventure should not be attempted at night. You will need daylight to find the clues and safely navigate the little streets. Remember that these monuments are sacred so be respectful. ALWAYS MAKE YOUR WAY AROUND THEM IN THE CLOCKWISE MANNER. Nothing is hidden ON the monument. All the clues are VISUAL so no need to touch the monuments themselves. Finally, you will walk through neighborhoods not usually frequented by tourists so you will discover the “real” Nepal. All the areas traversed are very safe, but you WILL get surprised looks. A smile and a simple “Namaste” will be greatly appreciated by all.
STUPA #1 – Lagan Khel Stupa
This Stupa located at the coordinates provided for this cache and is surrounded by a series of praying wheels inscribed with the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition based on the lineage texts regarding prayer wheels, spinning such a wheel will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers.
Starting from the entrance and moving clockwise around the Stupa, count the total number of prayer wheels surrounding the Stupa perimeter (AAA). (Hint: count the number of bays each containing 8 prayer wheels). Now count the number of different colors on the payer flags hanging from the top of the stupa (B). Each color represent an element found in the universe. These flags can be found on all Buddhists sacred sites in Nepal.
The Code Base for Stupa #2 is (B - (AAA / 300)).
STUPA #2 – [ D5ATULUH TAOOLURØIRE ] Stupa
Coordinates: 27° 40.078'N, 85° XX.XXX'E
This very ornate and well-preserved Stupa is located in a public community courtyard not accessible by car. Your challenge will be to find a passage way to enter the courtyard. This Stupa is maintained by an association that accepts donations. These donations are collected in metal boxes made by PISIPL. The model number of these boxes is composed of seven digits.
The Code Base for Stupa #3 is (Digit 2 + Digit 3 – Digit 4)
STUPA #3 – [ 5SL SB138PØEEI ] Stupa
Coordinates: 27° 40.112'N, 85° XX.XXX'E
This Stupa is very intimate and hidden in the middle of a tight neighborhood. You might walk through some very small alleys to get there. Count the total number of prayer wheels surrounding the Stupa perimeter (AA).
The Code Base for Stupa #4 is (AA/12).
STUPA #4 – [ B33136UMT4 HUKKL4 ] Stupa
Coordinates: 27° 40.275'N, 85° XX.XXX'E
This Stupa is beautiful in its simplicity. It is also adorned by four small temples at each corner. Outside the 3rd temple in clockwise order (on South East corner) is a source of water built in Nepali year 2070 according to the mark in the concrete (2070/1/AB). (Hint: Use the Nepali number table to find out the Arabic number translation)
The Code Base for Stupa #5 is (Digit A).
STUPA #5 – [ CU3D RØØNGTAOOLU ] Stupa
Coordinates: 27° 40.308'N, 85° XX.XXX'E
Another small neighborhood Stupa with a couple of stores and cafes around it. As this is about the mid-point in your adventure, getting a refreshment here is a good idea. Count the total number of prayer wheels surrounding the Stupa perimeter (AA).
The Code Base for Stupa #6 is (AA/9).
STUPA #6 – [ EH3TK9LADGL8BPPS7 ] Stupa
Coordinates: 27° 40.368'N, 85° XX.XXX'E
This is the smallest of the Stupa on this adventure, proving once again that size does not matter. You have now re-entered the tourist area of Patan, so you will see a higher level of muggle activity once again. Count the total number of yellow domes on the Stupa, including the top one (A).
The Code Base for Stupa #7 is (A-2).
STUPA #7 – [ MED3EREU16C5I ] Stupa
Coordinates: 27° 40.443'N, 85° XX.XXX'E
This very tall and narrow Stupa is surrounded by beautiful statues and temples. It is in the very historical center of Patan. In the front of the Stupa there are two large bells that are used to chase away the evil spirits. While facing the Stupa, look for the Nepali date on the base of the left-hand bell brown support structure. The first 4 digits represent the year and the next two digits the month in the Nepali calendar.
The Code Base for Stupa #8 is (Digit 4 + Digit 5).
STUPA #8 – [ ANR3GMGO1E4LU ] Chaitya
Coordinates: 27° 40.563'N, 85° XX.XXX'E
In the course of extending Buddhism, Emperor Ashok built a Stupa at each the four cardinal points of Patan and one at the center. This is the center Stupa. It was destroyed by the Indian Muslim Sultan Samsuddin. Ancient stone inscription reveals that the Stupa was rebuilt by Meghpal Burma. Count the total number of BIGGER prayer wheels surrounding the two entrances in the blue enclosure (attached below the row of smaller wheels) (A).
The Code Base for Stupa #9 is A.
STUPA #9 – [ T7NOT3EI6K ] Stupa
Coordinates: 27° 40.629'N, 85° XX.XXX'E
This is the western corner of Emperor Ashok’s five Stupas mentioned before (BTW the Stupa you started from is the southern one). This Stupa was heavily damaged in the 2015 earthquake. A restoration effort was completed in 2017, giving it back some of its older prestige. Count the number of BIG prayer wheels on the front of the stupa (under the yellow roof) (A). Now count the number of big bells (hanging from the brown concrete structure) (B).
The Code for the actual cache is (A*B*3). Add this code to the longitude of Stupa #9 to resolve the longitude of the final cache coordinates. You can use the solution checker below to validate the final coordinates.
ACTUAL CACHE
Coordinates: 27° 40.692'N, 85° XX.XXX'E
It is located in a very busy area, so be discreet when retrieving it and replacing it. The cache is an ATTACHED green bison tube. DO NOT DISCONNECT THE TUBE. Simply unscrew the bottom and walk away from the hide to log your find. You will need your own pen to get the log out and sign your name. To replace the log, roll it as tight at you can, place it in the bison tube cap first, then screw the bottom part on.