Its hemispherical shape represents the world egg. Stupas commonly rest on a square pedestal and are carefully aligned with the four cardinal points of the compass. Heaven and Heaven covers Earth. The axis of the world is always represented in the stupa, rising above its summit. The cosmic symbolism is completed by a ritual circumambulatory path around the monument.
Stupas are large-scale memorials built in particularly holy places.
Generally they enshrine relics of some sort. As a building type the stupa is the forerunner of the pagoda. However, the stupa has also come to be known, on a smaller scale, as the reliquary itself and can be made of crystal, gold, silver or other precious metals. By now effigies of the Buddha were permitted and four stone Buddhas were placed against the walls of the stupa facing the gates. Their haloes are elaborately carved.