This is believed to be 25 centuries
old and stands as one of the world’s
oldest Buddhist Chaityas (Stupa).
The great Stupa of Swayambhu is the
wonder that was Nepal, the glory that
was Nepal. It is indeed listed a world
Heritage site of Culture to prove
that it serves as the nerve centre
of faithful worship for all the devout
Buddhists of the universe. Swayambhu
embraces the authentic philosophy
of Bajrayan in Particular and honour
Lord Adi Buddha. It is dedicated to
self-originating flame god. The Stupa,
which forms the salient structure,
is well composed of a solid hemisphere
of terra-cotta bricks and soil supporting
a cornice of copper and gilt. Painted
in the four-sided base of the spare
are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha,
keeping an eternal watch on the valley
distinguishing between vice and virtue.
It is some 2miles west of Kathmandu
City, proper across the holy Bishnumati
River. Situated on the top of a hillock,
it is about 77m above the level of
the valley. The whole hill is a mosaic
of small Chaityas and Pagoda Temples
possessing great dignity plus beauty.
There also exist six big Buddhist
monasteries in all – 5 Mahayan
(Lamaist) and one Hinyan (Therbadist).
On the hind hill is located another
important Buddhist shrine; it is called
Manjushree. This compassionate Chinese
Buddha is the god of Knowledge.
Note
:
Monumental Area Entrance fees at present
Rs. 50 p.p.
=====================<
TOP >=====================
BOUDHANATH
STUPA
One of the oldest and the biggest
Buddhist monument ever built in the
Himalayan Kingdom it is 36m high.
The stupa is unique with its three
level, Mandela style, platforms. The
structural features of the stupa is
somewhat similar to the Swayambhunath
stupa. It was built around the 5th
century A.D.
What Mecca is to the Muslims, this
Boudhanath Stupa is for Tibetan Buddhists.
Every year thousands of pilgrims flock
here from all over the Himalayan region.
During the Buddhist festivals, listed
with Swayambhunath above, pilgrims
gather to celebrate with great reverence
to all Buddhist deities.
This is declared to stand as the
largest Buddhist Shrine of South Asia.
King Man Dev belonging to the Lichhabi
dynasty built the ancient colossal
Chhorten in the 6th century AD. It
rests on a series of three terraces
and from the bird's eye view it takes
the relevant shape of a lotus flower,
which indeed remains a very holy object
for the devout Buddhists of the entire
world. The Chhorten is surrounded
by a circular market, which forms
a part of Tibet Town. In this case
also the four directions, meaning
to keep a diligent watch over the
people and their commitments all day
all night. The Chhorten embraces the
authentic philosophy of Mahayan the
faith of which is known as Lamaism
in Sikkim, Ladakh, Bhutan and Tibet.
It also proves a world Heritage Site.
Note
:
Monumental Area Entrance fees at present
Rs. 50 p.p.
=====================<
TOP >=====================
PASHUPATINATH
TEMPLE
Pashupatinath is considered one of
the holiest shrines of all the Hindu
temples. It is 6km. east of downtown
Kathmandu. The temple has remained
the presiding deity of ruling Nepalese
Royalty.
The two tier magnificent golden temple,
with four triple silver doorways,
is a unique example of the Nepalese
temple architecture. It is one of
the largest Hindu temple complexes
in South-Asia with hundreds of Shiva
Lingam shrines and icons Hindu Gods
and Goddesses. The temple is spread
out over a large area.
The main entrance, for Hindu people
only, is on the western side. Tourists
may peak inside, or go on the other
side of the river to have a glimpse
of the temple complex from above.
During the festival of Shivaratri
(February – March) 10,000's of
devotees and pligrims (many from India)
visit this temple and make ceremonial
fires.
The Temple of Pashupatinath, dedicated
to Shiva in his incarnation, as lord
of all animals- including man is Nepal’s
holiest and most important Temple.
What the Vatican is to the Christians,
Mecca to the Muslims, Pashupatinath
is to the Hindus of the world. The
Temple and the complex around it are
revered by believers from Nepal and
India as the holiest shrine of Hinduism.
Shiva the most scared of Hindu gods
is commonly worshiped in the form
of a Shiva-lingam, a phallic symbol
that is usually displayed atop a base
called a yoni, symbol of female genitals.
Located about 5km Northeast of Kathmandu
situated at the bank of the holy Bagmati
River, amidst many other lesser Temples,
Pashupatinath, is always bustling
with the activities of devotees and
pilgrims, congregations attending
funeral services (if you are lucky
you can observe Hindu system of cremation).
The Temple of Lord Pashupatinath stands
in the middle of an open courtyard.
It is a square shaped Pagoda Temple
built on a single platform measuring
23.6m from the ground. There are gilt
doors on all four sides of the Temple.
Inside the Temple there is a narrow
walk engulfing the sanctum from where
one can have a closer view of the
Shivalinga. Only Hindus are permitted
to enter the main courtyard of the
temple. Tourists other than Hindu
can view the temple from the eastern
side of the Bagmati River. By the
way, Bagmati River is not wide at
all, either with brave waters.
Note
:
Monumental Area Entrance fees at present
Rs. 250 p.p.
=====================<
TOP >=====================
