JEREMY HORNER IMAGES

Swayambunath

Perched on top of a hill on the western edge of the Kathmandu Valley, the ancient Swayambunath Stupa (known as the "Monkey Temple") is Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine. The sleepy, all-seeing Buddha eyes that stare out from the top have become the quintessential symbol of Nepal.

Founded about 2,000 years ago, Kathmandu Valley was filled with a great lake, and according to Buddhist legend, a single perfect lotus grew in the center of the lake. When the bodhisattva Manjusri drained the lake with a slash of his sword, the lotus flower settled on top of the hill and magically transformed into the stupa.Hence it is known as the Self-Created (swayambhu) Stupa.

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Filename: Nepal-Swayambunath022.jpg
Image Size: 4184x2756 / 6.3MB; Kathmandu Valley Nepal himalaya travel asia south asia disaster relief earthquake zone plate collision plate tectonics medieval architecture UNESCO buildings pagodas Durbar Square nepali nepalese hindu secular developing nation color colour Jeremy Horner
Contained in galleries: The Spirits of Kathmandu

Perched on top of a hill on the western edge of the Kathmandu Valley, the ancient Swayambunath Stupa (known as the "Monkey Temple") is Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine. The sleepy, all-seeing Buddha eyes that stare out from the top have become the quintessential symbol of Nepal.<br />
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Founded about 2,000 years ago, Kathmandu Valley was filled with a great lake, and according to Buddhist legend, a single perfect lotus grew in the center of the lake. When the bodhisattva Manjusri drained the lake with a slash of his sword, the lotus flower settled on top of the hill and magically transformed into the stupa.Hence it is known as the Self-Created (swayambhu) Stupa.