Swayambhunath Stupa

Swayambhunath Stupa

Introduction Swayambhunath Stupa is situated on a hilltop to the west of Kathmandu. From the summit, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire Kathmandu Valley, with its tightly clustered buildings that might even rival those of Shanghai. Though the monkeys here are accustomed to humans, they won’t aggressively snatch things from you like the monkeys in Mount Emei. This is a significant pilgrimage destination for Buddhists and is also notable as the oldest relic in the Kathmandu Valley. Legend has it that Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) once visited this site. A grand festival is held here every year on Buddha’s birthday, attracting huge crowds and lively celebrations. In the northern part of the complex lies the Hariti Temple, which houses a beautiful statue of the goddess of smallpox and fertility, Hariti — an important deity in Hinduism. Swayambhunath perfectly embodies the harmonious coexistence of Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal. Transportation: From the rooftop of HELENA’S RESTAURANT in the Thamel area, you can faintly see Swayambhunath. It is about 4 kilometers from Thamel. It takes around 45 minutes to walk there or 50 Rs by taxi. Ticket/Opening Hours: The entrance fee is 100 Nepalese Rupees.

Kathmandu, Nepal