Swayambhu

Swayambhunath Stupa is the oldest holy shrine in the Kathmandu valley. As these Swayambhunath photos show, the Stupta, with its piercing eyes, is a captivating sight.

Even if temple-touring makes your eyes glaze over don't miss Swayambhu,perched on a hill 2km west of Thamel.To begin with , it's a great place to get your bearing , geographically and culturally, in your first few days in Nepal: the hill commands a sweeping view of the Kathmandu valley, and the temple complex, overrun with pilgrims and monkeys,is a real eye opener.

But there's much more if you dig for it.The two thousand year old Stupa is most profound expression of Buddhist symbolism in Nepal,and the sources and central location of the valley's creation myth.There's evidence to believe the hill was used for animist rites even before Buddhism arrived in the valley two thousand years ago.Tantric Buddhists consider it the chief "Power point" of Kathmandu Valley, and one chronicle states that an act of worship here carries thirteen billion time more merit than anywhere else.

Swayambhunath Eyes Close Up