Monkey Temple.

‌‌The Monkey Temple in Nepal, officially known as Swayambhunath, is also known as the Four-Eyed God Temple. It is located on the top of Swayambhunath Mountain in the suburbs of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Nepal. The Monkey Temple is named after the large number of monkeys living around it. These monkeys are regarded as "sacred monkeys" by the locals and are respected and protected by the temple monks and residents.‌12

The history of the Monkey Temple can be traced back to the 3rd century BC and is one of the oldest Buddhist relics in Asia. The main building of the temple is a giant stupa. The tower is conical and the base is square, symbolizing the "eyes of wisdom" that can see everything in the world. The top of the tower is a complex canopy. Above the canopy is a tall gilded treasure bottle, and the tower crown is inlaid with a huge gem. In addition to the main tower, there are also some small stupas and prayer wheels distributed around.

The Monkey Temple is not only a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, but also an excellent place for tourists to understand Nepalese culture and history. The environment around the temple is beautiful, and the lush woods on both sides of the mountain road provide a natural habitat for monkeys. Tourists can go up the stone steps to observe these monkeys living in harmony with the temple at close range. It is said that the monkeys here were transformed from lice in Manjushri Bodhisattva's hair, so they are regarded as sacred.

The Monkey Temple was repaired after being damaged by an earthquake in 2015. Despite this, it is still one of the most important tourist attractions in Nepal, attracting tourists and believers from all over the world. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can overlook the panoramic view of Kathmandu, especially in the evening, the Monkey Temple under the setting sun is even more magnificent.

Post by Amelia Brooks Jade-7 | Sep 30, 2024