Visiting Nepal

Swoyambhu

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Swoyambhu literally means 'Self-Existent One.' Swoyambhunath is believed to have been established more than 2,500 years ago. An inscription dated 460 A.D. states that the construction was carried out by King Manadeva. By the thirteenth century Swoyambhunath had developed into an important Buddhist learning site.

The history of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started with the beginning of Swoyambhu. The largest image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal is in a monastery next to the stupa. Behind the hilltop is a temple dedicated to Manjusri of Saraswati - the goddess of learning. Statues and shrines of Buddhist and Hindu deities dot the stupa complex.

Large numbers of Buddhists and Hindus alike visit Swoyambhunath. Swoyambhu is perhaps the best place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. The stupa is atop a hill, and requires considerable walk. There is also a road that leads almost to the base of the statue.

Monastery, noted for a bronze icon of Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings.

Located on a lovely little hillock Swayambhu Nath Stupa lies about 4 km west of Kathmandu city center . There are 360 steps leading all the way to the top commanding a magnificent view of Kathmandu valley and the breath-taking panorama of the snow-clad Himalayan range. The tradition in the Stupa follows the Vajrayan form of Buddhism which is a tantric variation of the Mahayana Buddhism (great vehicle). The stupa seem to have been founded during the Lichchavi Period. Religious and literacy sources give numerous accounts of the establishment and the patronage of the Swayambhunath premises. Some literary work credit the Lichchavi King Mandev to be the founder of Swayambhu Stupa. It is also interesting to note that the stupa went a series of renovation during the Malla period in the medieval times with donations made by merchants, monks, pilgrims and Buddhist followers.

As the ancient legend goes Kathmandu valley was a lake long time ago. Right in the center of this lake was full blown lotus with the divine light atop. When Maha Manjushri a saint from China heard about this he came all the way from China to the valley. He cut through the southern wall hill of the valley with his divine sword. The cleft made by the sword immediately drained the entire lake water making the valley floor ready for habitation. Hundreds of votive shrines and other historical monuments built in and around this stupa speak a lot about the significance and antiquity of this famed stupa. The Stupa of Swayambhunath stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala base. The hemispherical part of the chaitya is made of brick and stone and on top of the hemispherical part lies the hermika which carries the eyes of Vairochana watching in all the directions and believed to have been painted in the Malla period . The stupa is also laden with the 13 gold palted spires which symbolize the 13 stages to salvation. The spire is crowned by a golden umbrella supported by a pole from within the center. Devotees pour lime down the chaitya to cure illness of family members.

Harati Temple :

It is a two-tiered pagoda temple dedicated to the primal mother – Ajima who is also known as the protective deity of children. Speical prayers are offered on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Anantapura and Pratapaura :

These two temples dedicated to Vajrayan deities were built by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century Anantapura temple was named after his counsort and both these temples represent the Shikhara style of architecture.

Bajra Dhautu Mandala :

The Mandala depicts 12 animals representing the twelve months of the Tibetan year : The gilt Bajra installed by King Pratap Malla in the middle of 17th century represents the sword Chandahasa of Manjushree..

Forms of Buddhas and their Consorts :

The ten niches around the stupa represents the different forms of Buddha and their consorts. Clockwise representation are Aksobhya , Vairochana, Vajaradhatvenvari, Mamaki Tara, Ratnasambhava, Pandara, Amitabha, Tara, Amogha Siddhi and Saptalochini.

The Vairochana is represented by the eyes painted on the hermika. Amitabha is the main deity of the chaitya.
Five Elements of life : Temples and sacred sites representing the five fundamental elements of nature are said to have been founded by Shantikar Acharya. The five elements of life represented in the premise of the Stupa are Vasupura (earth), Nagapura (serpents, the lord of water), Shantipura or Akashpura (space or sky), Vayupura (air) and Agnipura (Fire).

Important Days to Visit this Holy Site :

1. Buddha Purnima, the birthday of Lord Buddha which falls on the full moon day of Baishakh (April – May).
2. Gunja the holy Buddhist month according to Newari calendar (Aug – Sept, early morning ).
3. Kojagrath Purnima (Sept-Oct) Samyak day of the Magh (Jan – Feb) (once in every twelve years ).
4. Loshar