Located on the lovely little hillock, Swayambunath Stupa lies
about 4 km west of central Kathmandu. There are 365 steps leading
all the way to the top commanding a magnificent view of Kathmandu
valley and the breathtaking panorama of the snow clad Himalayan
range. The tradition in the Stupa follows the Vajrayana form of
Buddhism which is a tantric variation of the Mahayana Buddhism (the
great vehicle). The stupa seems to have been constructed during the
Licchavi period. Religious and literal sources gives numerous
account of the establishment and the patronage of the Swayambhunath
premises .It is also interesting to note that the stupa went
through a series of renovation during the Malla period in the
medieval times with donations made by merchants, pilgrims and
Buddhists followers . As the ancient legend goes, Kathmandu valley
was a lake long time ago right in the center of this lake atop.
When Maha Manjushri, a saint came to the valley, he cut through the
southern hill of the valley with his divine sword.The cleft made by
the sword immediately drained the entire lake water making the
valley floor ready for habitation . Hundreds of votive shrines and
other historical monuments built in and around this stupa speak
about the significance and antiquity of this famed stupa . The
stupa of Swayambhunath stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala
base. The hemispherical part of the chaitya is made of brick and
stone and on top of the hemispherical part lies the hermika which
carries the eyes of vairochana watching in all the directions and
believed to have been painted in the Malla period. The stupa is
also laden with the 13 gold plated spires which symbolizes the 13
stages to salvation .The spire is crowned by a golden umbrella
supported by a pole from within the center. Devotees pour lime down
the chaitya to cure illness of family members.
FORMS OF BUDDHAS AND THEIR consorts : The ten niches around the
stupa represents the different forms of Buddha and their consorts.
Clockwise representation are Aksobhya, Vairochana, Vajradhatvesvari
, Mamaki Tara, Ratnasambhava, Pandara, Amitabha, Tara, Amogha
Siddhi and Saptalochini. The Vairochana is represented by the eyes
painted on the hermika. Amitabha is tha main deity of the chaitya.
FIVE elements OF LIFE : Temples and sacred sites representing the
five fundamental elements of nature are said to have been founded
by Shantikar Acharya. The five elements of life represented in the
premise of the stupa are Vasupura (earth), Nagapura (serpents, the
lords of water), Shantipura or Akashpura (space or sky), Vayupura
(air) and Agnipura(fire).
Important days to visit this holy site: Buddha Purnima, the
birthday of Lord Buddha which falls on the full moon day of
Baishakh (April - May). Gunla, the holy Buddhist month according to
Newari calendar (August - September early morning). Kojagrat
Purnima( September –October) , Samyak day of Magh
(January-February) (once in every twelve years) or in the Tibetan
new year Lhosar.
