Swayambhunath is a Buddhist religious site on top of a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, which is also called the 'Monkey Temple' because of all the monkeys that live around the north west parts of the temple - becareful of them, they can be vicious at times!!
I know this is a blog for AURA QUE and the producers I work with but Kathmandu is such an interesting and fascinating place to work in, I thought I would blog about some of the fine sights in Nepal, that I have visited many times with friends, visitors or just in passing on the way to work!
Anyone who visits Kathmandu, will see this temple on the hill and should make a visit up all the stairs to take in the religious atmosphere, marvel at the beautiful details and colours, and the views over Kathmandu. For the Nepalese people, this is where they will make daily offerings, as well as celebrate the most popular festivals at Swayambhunath, which are Lhosar, (Tibetan New Year), Buddha Jayanti, (Buddha’s Birthday) and Gunla, (the sacred month of Lord Buddha).
The complex can be accessed by road at one side or a long staircase of 365 steps leaving up to the main large stupa that overlooks the whole of Kathmandu. The main stupa has the buddha eyes painted on them, which is an iconic image from Nepal. Within the complex there is also shops, restaurants, shrines to different Gods, a peace pagoda and a Tibetan Monastery.
The steps are pretty steep up to the main stupa but the sight is amazing at the top - the beautiful large stupa with colourful prayer flags, that is uplighted at night and you can see from miles around on the hill. You can also see the massive sprawl of Kathmandu as far as the eye can see!! A little bit different from 50 years ago (see the black and white picture I found of Swayambhu in the 1960s!).
Last time I went up to the stupa, the monks were chanting in the Tibetan monastery, so we went inside to have a look - the rooms inside were incredibly beautiful and colourful with lots of intricate painting and decoration details, really fascinating. It felt like a really spiritual place.
The massive Buddhist statues at the South road entrance to Swayambhu are really epic and can be seen from the main road. These were built in the last ten years by different Buddhist communities, and very beautifully decorated once you look up close.
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