Swoyambhunath Stupa

Swaymbhunath is located in the northwest of Kathmandu valley where one can discover the calmness and soothing environment throughout the site. Swaymbhunath is also named after Monkey Temple since 1970s because of the numbers of monkeys who used to rush around the temple at night after the departure of pilgrims and priests. From the top of the hill of Swaymbhunath one can also find the comprehensive scenes and beauty of the city area. It is said that once a Kathmandu valley was to be known as a lake where Swaymbhu hill was regarded as an island. Among all the shrines in Kathmandu Valley, Swaymbhunath is regarded as the most earliest and mysterious one. The prestige of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started from this point. Going through the History it is found that the stupa was a chief Buddhist journey terminus by the 5th century AD. It is uttered that there used to be a temple constructed by King Ashoka in 3rd century BC, but later on it was demolished. However there is no actual proof for the same. Later on King Mandeva constructed the temple. The stupa became chief devotee site by 13th century.

Swaymbhu Nath is to be said as one of the sacred Buddhist stupas in Nepal. Similar to Pashupatinath and Boudhanath it also encompasses numbers of temples, shrines and monasteries in its complex. Hindus, Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, and the Newari Buddhists of central and southern Nepal are the major devotees of Swaymbhunath. Like Boudhanath stupa Swaymbhunath also consists of four sides. We can see the set of a big eye in each side of the stupa. These eyes are the symbols of Gods seeing outlook.

The definition of Swaymbhu is known as self-existent one. As Kathmandu valley was regarded as river, suddenly people could see a lotus flower blooming in the middle of a river and spreading all across the valley. The vision of Sakyamuni was glimpsed on the head of the lotus flower. This entire process was perceived by King Manjushri who visited in the search of a place. Later on the river was elevated towards the beautiful valley.

Beside the main white domed stupa one can see the various shrines and structures which are mentioned as below:

Architecture: The construction style of the stupa makes the visitor flabbergasted. The stupa is cube based structure having four different sides. In each side we can perceive the pair of eyes which means God seeing perspective. In the top of each paired eye we can find another eye also known as Third eye of Buddha. This third eye indicates the wisdom.

Shantipur temple: Shantipur is the temple of a living man who has been there since hundred years ago. Shantipur is a name after that living man who has locked himself in the temple since 5^th century.

Shree Harati Ma Temple: Harati Devi Temple also known as Goddess Sitala Devi is the temple both for Buddhist and Hindus. However it is mainly dedicated to Hindu Goddess Harati. Many Indians visit the temple every year. There is a ceremony everyday perform in the temple. The architecture of this temple is of brick pagoda. This temple holds 19^th century as a deity.

Manjushree temple: Manjushree temple which is located on a small street to the northwest of the West entrance gate of the Swaymbhunath temple, is regarded as one of the most powerful Goddess.

Pratapur and Anantapur:  These temples are built by King Pratap Malla which are in the shape of a bullet. This temple was built after the victory of the kind in Tibet. There are two bells in the temple. However the temple was badly damaged by earthquake of 2015. The department of Archaeology has announced that it has completed the post-earthquake reconstruction till the date.

Great Thunderbolt (Vajra): Thunderbolt which is also known as Vajra in Sanskrit is the tantric symbol of power of enlightenment which destroys ignorance. This also indicates the male power.  It is just located in the side of stupa.

 Additional Information

• It is the ideal place to find the pleasant and soothing environment.
• Visitors can take a photograph of this historic site in a permitted area.
• As the place is quite peaceful and calm one can exploit their leisure through meditation.
• There are seats and benches inside the premises. Thus one can enjoy observing the soothing view of the heritage
• As the temple is also considered as a Monkey Temple, we can see numerous monkeys occupying whole around the stupa premises