Monkey Temple

There are numerous beggars along the ascending steps . We saw a woman holding a baby breast feeding , several small children or small children carrying babies in their arms following you with hands outstretched , asking for food by miming taking food to the mouth. Locals advised us not to give food or money as this only promotes begging.



Above :The many steps we climbed and the thunderbolt at the top of the steps.

The Stupa
Prayer wheels
Swayambhunath

The Buddhist temple. The temple is known as the ‘monkey temple’ as a large tribe of monkeys that guard the hill that the temple stands on as well as snacking up offerings of food and anything else that you may be carrying. There is a great thunderbolt which you see at the top of the many many stairs you have ascended to reach the temple. Dorje (this is Tibetan word for the thunderbolt symbol in Sanskrit it is called a vajra. This symbolises male wisdom. Dorje are often accompanied by a bell which symbolises the female wisdom.

The eyes of Buddha gaze out across the valley from the top of the stupa (dome). Prayer wheels are set around the base which Monks and pilgrims spin as they pass releasing a sacred mantra. The white painted base represents the four elements- earth, fire air and water. There are 13 concentric rings that symbolise 13 degrees of knowledge and 13 steps that you must take to reach nirvana. (Final escape from the continuous cycle of existence)

Ref : The Lonely Planet