Swyambhunath

The Swayambhunath temple is colloquially known as the 'monkey temple' because of the large tribe of roving monkeys who guard the temple. Swayambhunath Stupa is a golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill. It is a temple of Lord Buddha and it is situated about 3km west from central kathmandu. This temple is situated on a hillock about 77m high from the ground level. There are two white dome shaped temple called Anantapur and Pratappur on the either side of the main chaitya. This place was listed by the UNESCO in the world heritage list. It is an ancient holy place and in addition its natural features are marvelous. The beautiful view of the whole kathmandu can be observed from swyambhu nath. "Swyambhu" means 'self-created'. It is said that in ancient times Swyambhu appeared by itself as a beacon of light over a lotus with a thousand of petals and later on a stupa was erected above the site covering the light.