Swayambhunath Stupa

A WALK AROUND SWYAMBHUNATH STUPA, THE MONKEY TEMPLE

Swayambhunath Stupa, which is also known as the monkey temple is a vital tourist attraction in Kathmandu. The Swayambhunath Stupa is perched on top of a hill west of Kathmandu from where there are splendid views of the city. The Swayambhunath Stupa got its name “monkey temple” due to a large presence of resident sacred monkeys all over the Stupa.

The around area around the Swayambhunath Stupa has a Tibetan name which refers to sublime trees because of the abundance of an assortment of trees on the hill. The Swayambhunath Stupa is also one of Kathmandu’s oldest and most holy Stupa. The Swayambhunath Stupa was a vital destination for Buddhist pilgrimages and is today still a very important destination for religious adventurers.

WHAT TO SEE IN KATHMANDU`S SWYAMBHUNATH STUPA ?

While Swayambhunath Stupa is a Buddhist Stupa, Hindus are also frequent visitors to the holy shrine. The Harati Devi Temple is very popular with Hindu pilgrimages and there are many other sacred temples and sanctuaries around the Swayambhunath Stupa. The Shantipur Stupa is not too far away from the Swayambhunath Stupa and has an interesting feature in that a holy man has been inside the Stupa meditation for about 1500 years.

WHEN TO VISIT THE SWYAMBHUNATH STUPA ?

On most weekends, the Swayambhunath Stupa will be packed with people. Very huge crowds will be in and around the Swayambhunath Stupa during the Losar festival that is held between February and March and the Buddha Jayanti that is held in April and May and also the Gunla festival in August to September. Because these are big festivals, the Swayambhunath Stupa will be quite packed.