World Heritage Site Swayambhu Nath Temple

Buddhists and others from all over the world pray for peace for themselves and the world at the Swayambhunath Stupa, located on a small hill in the northwest of the Kathmandu Valley. Since the 1970s, Swayambhunath has been known among tourists as the "Monkey Temple," since many monkeys live here. Since most of the Kathmandu Valley can be seen from the top of Swayambhunath, visitors can sit there, take photos, and enjoy the panoramic view of the city. This stupa has stood as a symbol of faith and harmony for centuries, with some Hindu temples and deities included within this Buddhist site. It is also said that the glory of the Kathmandu Valley began from this point.

Swayambhunath is one of the most sacred Buddhist stupas in Nepal, located on a hill west of the center of Kathmandu. It is believed to have developed spontaneously when the valley was formed from a primordial lake over 2,000 years ago, according to legend. This stupa is also the oldest in Nepal.

The literal meaning of Swayambhu is "self-existent." According to historical records, the stupa was built in 460 AD by King Manadeva, and by the 13th century it had become an important center of Buddhism. Legend has it that Swayambhu was born from a lotus flower that bloomed in the middle of a lake that once filled the Kathmandu Valley. The largest statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in Nepal is located on a high peak on the western border of Swayambhu, near the Ring Road. Behind the main hilltop of Swayambhu Mahachaitya is a temple viewed as dedicated to both Manjushri and Saraswati as a combined, syncretic deity of wisdom and learning. The stupa complex is almost completely filled with chaityas, statues, and shrines of Buddhist and Hindu gods. The base of the hill is almost completely surrounded by Buddhist prayer wheels. Devotees can always be seen circumambulating the stupa in the morning and evening.

The extremely steep stone steps leading up to the temple are quite challenging. However, there is also a motorable road leading up from the west, offering a shorter walk to the top. Pilgrims from all over the world, including Buddhists and Hindus, visit Swayambhunath throughout the day. This pilgrimage site is one of the most suitable places to observe religious harmony in Nepal. The largest crowds are seen here on Buddha's birthday, which usually falls in May every year.

Some important monuments to see in the area:

• A huge gold-plated thunderbolt, the Vajra, installed on the east side of the stupa

• A statue of Buddha on the west side of Swayambhu

• A sleeping Buddha

• Dewa Dharma Monastery (also known as Deva Dharma Maha Vihar or Marmelhakang), famous for its bronze statue of Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings

• A temple dedicated to Harati, the goddess of children, said to have once been a demon before Lord Buddha made her the guardian of all children