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Kathmandu Swayambhunath 
Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, due to it being home to a large population of monkeys who are considered holy.  The site is an ancient religious complex located at the top of a hill west of Kathmandu city and offers excellent views of the Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding Himalayan mountains. It's one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal and is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. Dating back for over two millennia, evidence suggests that the site was established by King Manadeva (464–505 CE) and significantly renovated during the Licchavi period (450 to 750 CE) in the 5th century CE which makes it one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal. According to legend, the Kathmandu Valley was once a vast lake, from which a lotus flower with a divine flame emerged from. The flame eventually transformed into the hill where Swayambhunath now stands. The name "Swayambhunath" translates to "self-created" or "self-existent" in Sanskrit. Over time, various rulers and religious leaders have contributed to the temple’s architecture and development. Over the centuries, Swayambhunath has been a significant centre for both Buddhist and Hindu practices. It has attracted devotees and pilgrims from various regions, contributing to its cultural and spiritual importance. The complex has evolved over time, with various shrines, temples, and prayer wheels added to the site. The main stupa, with Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on it is the central and most recognizable feature and a distinctive symbol of Nepal. The complex also includes various shrines, temples, and prayer wheels. In 1979 Swayambhunath became a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to it holding a special place in the cultural and religious history of Nepal. The architecture of Swayambhunath is a beautiful blend of ancient religious symbolism and Nepalese craftsmanship. At the base of the hill are a number of stupas which in Buddhism, are a ‘heap’, or a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics such as the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns that is used as a place of meditation.  Also seen there is the pond which serves as a symbol of peace and harmony, reflecting the spiritual essence of the site.  From there visitors ascend by a number of steps to the heart of the complex. Along the steps and throughout the site are various souvenir shops.  At the heart of the complex is a large stupa, one of the most ancient and revered in Nepal. The stupa has a whitewashed dome, symbolizing the womb of creation. It represents the infinite power of Buddha. The structure is painted with the all-seeing eyes of Buddha, known as the Wisdom Eyes. These eyes watch over the entire Kathmandu Valley. Above this is a spire topped with a gilded pinnacle. The spire has thirteen tiers, each representing the thirteen steps to enlightenment in Buddhist philosophy.  Surrounding the main stupa, are rows of prayer wheels, inscribed with Buddhist mantras. Visitors spin these wheels in a ritual act of prayer as they walk around the stupa, a practice believed to accumulate good karma.  At the base of the stupa, are five gilt Buddha shrines all with a Buddha statue inside them. Equally five Tara (Buddhist saviour-goddess with numerous forms, widely popular in Nepal) shrines can be found here, but only four of them are gilt and actually house a Tara statue.  Also around the large stupa are a number of other buildings. These include monasteries that serve as centres of worship and learning for Buddhist monks who live, practice and maintain the complex. The monks can also be seen around the complex asking for alms.  In front of the main stupa is the Chaityas Courtyard containing souvenir shops and numerous small stupas.  The complex includes various shrines and temples dedicated to both Buddhist and Hindu deities. The Ajima Temple was built in the traditional Nepali multi-roofed (Pagoda) style featuring traditional architectural elements with intricate wood carvings and a pagoda-style roof. Dedicated to the goddess Hariti, who is also known as Harati Maa. According to legend, Hariti was a powerful female Yaksha (a nature spirit) who used to steal and devour children to feed her own large family. When Lord Buddha learned about her actions, he hid her beloved son and convinced Hariti to stop harming children. She then became a protector of children and a guardian of the Buddha's doctrine. Devotees visit the temple to pray for the protection of their children and to seek blessings from the goddess.  In the 17th century the Pratappur and Anantapur temples were added to the complex by King Pratap Malla (1624–1674 CE). These are in the Shikhara-style (Beehive in shape) adding to the architectural diversity of the site.  NOTE: The Pratappur temple had to be demolished following the 2015 earthquake due to cracks appearing and the danger that it presented of collapsing, it was subsequently rebuilt. Other temples are the Vajra Temple which houses a large brass image of the thunderbolt, a significant symbol in both Hinduism and Buddhism, and the Harati Temple which is dedicated to the goddess Harati, this temple is significant for the Newari community (the indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley). The Shantipur is a shrine believed to be the residence of the tantric deity Shantikar Acharya, who is said to reside in an underground chamber beneath the shine. Inner walls of the Shantipur are decorated with hand painted scenes which are driven from the “Swoyambhu Purana”. The inner sanctum is only accessible to one of the Buddhist tantric priests. In front of the Shantipur shrine is a large statue of the Buddha.  The walls and ceilings of the temples and shrines are adorned with beautiful murals depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology and the complex contains numerous statues of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the site.  |
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All Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain
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