Swayambhunath Temple

A journey up to the Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Swayambhunath is one f the authoritative experiences of Kathmandu. With the strong Tibetan connection this holy shrine is discernly visible on the top of a 100 meters (350 foot) hill in the west. The Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath floats above a sea of early morning mist, the rising sun setting fire to its burnished copper spire. On the four sides of the base of the spire, Buddha's all-seeing eyes, in vivid hues, keep constantly watching over the capital. Many believes that this sacred area protects the divine light of Swayambhunath, the self existence one who, when the water drain from the valley, emerged as a flame from a lotus blossom atop this hill. People worship there long before the advent of Buddhism, perhaps at a projecting stone which now forms the central core of the stupa. It is also said that Manjushree discovered the Kathmandu lots which floated in the ancient lake. There is an evidence that this site existed before the advent of Buddhism An inscription, dated around 460 AD, recorded that king Mahadev had commissioned work at the existing shrine, probably after 600 years when Emperor Ashoka is reputed to have paid homage here. By the 13th century the area represented an established center of Buddhist learning and had close ties with Lasha. Legend says that monkeys came from lice that dropped down from Manjushree's hair. After dropping down to the ground they sprang up as a monkey. It is also said that each strand of his dropped hair has turned out to be a tree.

The stupa is shaped like a lotus flower and in the past 2,000 years, saints, monks, kings and others built monasteries, idols, temples and statues which now has encircled an original stupa and the entire hilltop. At the base of the hill three enormous stone Buddhas painted in vibrant colours is placed in meditating position and 300 flagstone steps, adorned by the stone statues of animals, lead up to the main shrines.

This place is patronized by the countless Buddhists, who rise before dawn to make their pilgrimage up the holy hill. You can see figures prostrating themselves every four steps. The compound is centered on a luminous white stupa, topped by a gilded spire painted with the eyes of Buddha. Swayambhunath is n stimulating experience where one can ever relish ancient carving jammed into each spare inch of space, monasteries and the fragrance of a butter lamp. The spiritual ambiance is keen in the morning and evening by the local devotees who make a ritual circumnavigation of the stupa, spinning the prayers wheels surrounded into its base. Opposite to the neighboring hill, the serene image of Saraswati, Goddess of Learning, gazes down on the often multitude around Swayambhunath perhaps compassionate and celestial astonishment.

Syawambhunath is one of the crowning glory of the Kathmandu valley architecture. This perfectly proportioned monument seems to hint at some celestial perfection with its gleaming, gilded spire and whitewashed dome. The entire structure of stupa is symbolic- the white dome represents the earth, while the 13 tiered beehivelike structure at the top symbolizes the 13 stages that human passes through to nirvana. Set in ornate plinths around the base of the stupa are statues representing the Dhyani Buddhas- Vairocana, Ratnasambha, Amitabha, Amocha Siddhi and Aksobhya- and their consorts. These deities represents the five qualities of Buddhists wisdom. there are other several sights scattered around syayambhunath. Along the north side of the hill a compound lies containing three enormous shining golden statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, four armed Chenresig and Guru Rinpoche, constructed in 2003.