👁️ Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Nepal
About This Sacred Site
Swayambhunath is an ancient Buddhist complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, one of the oldest and most revered pilgrimage sites in Nepal. The iconic white dome is crowned by a gilded spire painted on all four sides with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, symbolizing his watchfulness. According to legend, the entire Kathmandu Valley was once a lake, and Swayambhunath emerged from a lotus flower as the waters receded. The site is colloquially known as the 'Monkey Temple' due to the large troops of macaques that inhabit the complex and are considered holy by local Buddhists.
Key Facts
- •One of the oldest Buddhist sites in Nepal, possibly dating to the 5th century CE
- •The all-seeing Buddha eyes painted on all four sides of the spire are iconic symbols of Nepal
- •Legend says the hill emerged from a lotus when the Kathmandu Valley was a lake
- •Home to hundreds of sacred monkeys, earning the nickname 'Monkey Temple'
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979
Location
Coordinates: 27.7149, 85.2903
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