Namaste, Swayambhunath Stupa

Swayambhunath Temple or also call as "Monkey Temple", overlooks most parts of the valley giving visitors a panoramic view of the city. The stupa has stood as a hallmark of faith and harmony for centuries with Hindu temples and deities incorporated in this Buddhist site. The glory of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started from this point. Resting on a hillock 3 km west of Kathmandu, Swayambhu is one of the holiest Buddhist Stupas in Nepal. The entire structure of the Stupa is deeply symbolic: the whitewashed dome is the earth, the pair of eyes are Buddha’s eyes, and the nose-like structure actually represents unity. The 13-tiered-gilded tower represents the 13 stages to Nirvana. It’s so peaceful and magical up here. You’ll see the lower dome, embellished with chains of prayer wheels, embossed with the sacred mantra om mani padme hum (‘hail to the jewel in the lotus’). Pilgrims circuiting the Stupa spin each one as they pass by. Fluttering above the Stupa are thousands of prayer flags, with similar mantras, which are said to be carried to heaven by the Wind Horse. Set in ornate plinths around the base of the Stupa are statues representing the five Dhyani Buddhas – Vairocana, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi and Aksobhya – and their consorts. These deities represent the five qualities of Buddhist wisdom. The five different colours on the prayer flags also mean different things. The blue colour represents the sky, white signifies the air, red is fire, green is water, and yellow is earth. Each flag is printed with a different mantra to spread positive energy with the wind, and it’s also believed that prayer flags are never meant to touch the earth. Up here, you can also see a few other religious monuments, sites and shrines such as the Swayambhunath Buddhist Museum and World Peace Pond, with its beautiful statue of a Buddha holding a cauldron. Visitors try to flip coins into the cauldron – if they make it, their wishes will come true! If you are in Kathmandu, you must visit the Stupa at least once. Or maybe twice! Trust me; it will leave you speechless. Namaste! #nepal #swayambhunathstupa #travelfreak