Swayambhunath temple complex description and photos - Nepal: Kathmandu (Topic)

Swayambhunath temple complex description and photos - Nepal: Kathmandu. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Swayambhunath.

Photo and description

The large Buddhist temple complex Swayambhunath is located on a hill in the northern suburbs of Kathmandu. From here a magnificent view of the surroundings opens. A large staircase leads to the foot of the central stupa, surrounded by smaller steps, statues of deities, Buddhist monasteries, in which there are 365 steps - according to the number of days a year. Believers overcome them on foot. Tourists in style drive up by taxi directly to the entrance to the temple. The entrance to the territory of the Swayambhunath complex is paid. At the central aisle, there are money changers who exchange bills for metal coins that can be thrown into the fountain to return here again.

The main stupa was built on the site where, according to legend, King Ashoka used to be. It is dated to 460. In the XIII century this temple, around which small stupas began to appear, built with the money of wealthy believers, turned into a famous Buddhist sanctuary. In the first half of the XIV century, it was destroyed by the Mongol hordes, who for some reason decided that gold was hidden at the base of the stupa. During the reign of the Malla kings, the temple was restored and rebuilt. The facades of the main building are not oriented to the cardinal points. The ancient builders were of the opinion that the North Pole used to be in a different place, and then shifted by 60 degrees. One of the walls of the stupa is turned in the direction where the North Pole was supposedly located.

Many monkeys live in the vicinity of the temple, which behave peacefully if they are not angry. Swayambhunath because of this is called the Temple of the Monkeys.

Topic: Swayambhunath temple complex description and photos - Nepal: Kathmandu.