Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath is a very popular and beautiful place, this is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. It is said to be 2000 years old. Painted on the four sides of the spire bases are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha., it is situated 4 km. from center of Kathmandu city. specially it is know as Buddhist Stupa, it lies on top of the small hill, which lies in south part of Capital city. It is also famous by the name of Monkey Temple as there are a lot of monkeys living around the north west part of the temple Swayambhunath means the self-manifested Lord Swayambhu and people believed to derive from a time when tradition says, Kathmandu valley wan under the water of vast lake, and it was a know as s home of Vipashwi Buddha is credited with having sown lotus, which grew into a giant jeweled lotus.

And also it has another story which says that Manjushree used his sword to drain the lake once filed the Kathmandu Valley, Swayambhu was a small stupa when it first appeared, but after a long time suffered demolition from earthquakes and it was whitewashed and plastered.The main entrance has 365 stone steps which need to be climbed before you reach the temple.From Swayambhu we can see very beautiful view of Kathmandu city and many mountains beside hills.It is said that the stupa had been built during the Lichhivi regime in Nepal. It is a Tibetan type monastery which has museum, library and many more things added in recent era.

The stupa has Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows painted on it. It is also said that Lord Buddha watches the entire valley with his eyes from Swayambhunath to see the peace happening in the valley. There is also a symbol in between the eyes which seems to be like a nose but it is said that it is a symbol of unity.The site has two access points, a long stairway having 365 steps, leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which is from the top of the hill to the east; and a car road around the hill from the south leading to the southwest entrance.