Tourist Attraction in Kathmandu:
Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath, is a religious complex, mainly Buddhist but also Hindu, perched on a hill in the Kathmandu valley in a suburb west of Kathmandu. It is also known as Monkey Temple, due to the existence of a colony of monkeys considered sacred living in the northwestern part of the complex. The Tibetan name means "Sublime Trees", an allusion to the many varieties of trees that are in the hill. The temple occupies a central place in the myths of the origins and daily religious practice of Buddhist nearchis, for whom Swayambhunath is probably the most sacred place of pilgrimage. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, the temple is the most sacred in Nepal following Boudhanath. The complex consists of a stupa, several shrines and temples, some dating from the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, a museum, a library, shops, restaurants and hostels are newer additions. The stupa has the "Buddha eyes" painted on the four faces of the tower. The site has two entrances: a long very steep staircase, supposedly with 365 steps, which leads directly to the main platform of the temple, which is in the eastern part of the hilltop; and a road that goes around the hill from the south side and leads to the southwest entrance. The first thing you see when you reach the top of the staircase is a huge Vajra (in Tibetan: Dorje), the lightning rod. Much of Swayambhunath's iconography stems from the Vajrayana tradition of neuari Buddhism. However, the complex is also an important site for Buddhists from many schools and is also revered by Hindus.

Attractions in Kathmandu