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Swayambhunath

5th-century Buddhist temples5th-century establishments in NepalBuddhist pilgrimage sites in NepalMañjuśrīNepalese culture
Newa HeritagesNewarReligious buildings and structures completed in 1989Stupas in NepalTibetan Buddhist placesWorld Heritage Sites in Nepal
Swayambhunath 2018
Swayambhunath 2018

Swayambhu (Devanagari: स्वयम्भू स्तूप; Nepal bhasa: स्वयंभू; sometimes Swayambu or Swoyambhu) is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. The Tibetan name for the site means 'Sublime Trees' (Wylie: Phags.pa Shing.kun), for the many varieties of trees found on the hill. However, Shingun may be of in Nepalbhasa name for the complex, Swayambhu, meaning 'self-sprung'. For the Buddhist Newars, in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice Swayambhu occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Boudha. Swayambhu is the Hindu name. The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, the number one (in Nepal script) is painted in the fashion of a nose. There are also shops, restaurants and hostels. The site has two access points: a long staircase leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which is from the top of the hill to the east; and a car road around the hill from the south leading to the south-west entrance. The first sight on reaching the top of the stairway is the Vajra. Tsultrim Allione describes the experience: We were breathless and sweating as we stumbled up the last steep steps and practically fell upon the biggest vajra (thunderbolt scepter) that I have ever seen. Behind this Vajra was the vast, round, white dome of the stupa, like a full solid skirt, at the top of which were two giant Buddha eyes wisely looking out over the peaceful valley which was just beginning to come alive. Much of Swayambhu's iconography comes from the Vajrayana tradition of Newar Buddhism. However, the complex is an important site for Buddhists of many schools, and is also revered by Hindus.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Swayambhunath (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Swayambhunath
bato, Kathmandu Kimdol (Kathmandu-15)

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Geographical coordinates (GPS)

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N 27.715 ° E 85.29 °
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Drukpa kagyu Monastry

bato
44620 Kathmandu, Kimdol (Kathmandu-15)
Bagmati Province, Nepal
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Swayambhunath 2018
Swayambhunath 2018
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National Museum of Nepal
National Museum of Nepal

National Museum is the first museum that lies on the bottom level of Swayambhu, a holy hill of Kathmandu Valley. It occupies about 50 Ropani of land with different types of buildings, gardens, and opens space in its compound. Now it provides the service to collect and display rare and precious art heritages. The history of this museum shows that at the beginning it was an Arsenal house, built by Prime Minister General Bhimsen Thapa in 1824. After it, in 1926 Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher added two wings in the north and south of the main building and it was given the name of Silkhana Museum. Later in 1938 Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher changed its name to Nepal Museum and its doors were opened to the public on 12th February 1939 (Amatya,1999:45). In the beginning, the buildings of this museum were not constructed for the purpose of storage, conservation, preservation, and displays of art heritages. While it developed as a museum it realized difficult to manage it inappropriate manner. For fulfilling that requirement, then Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher has established Judhha Jatiya Kala Bhavan in front of the Nepal Museum in 1943 A.D. and opened to the public on 18th April 1943 A.D. After it, there is an art section of the Buddhist collection, which was extended through the financial support of the Japanese Government in 1997A.D. Passing time this museum has been facing changing administrative system and managerial situation. From the early till to 1951 A.D. it was regulated as a separate department of the government. It shifted its administrative authority under the Ministry of Education under the leadership of a curator from 1951 A.D., which remains till to 1962 A.D. Later on, it is managed by the Department of Archaeology till now. As per the management, the name of this museum is being changed. In the beginning, it was known as Arsenal Museum which was transformed into Nepal Museum in 1939 A.D. Later on, it changed its name to National Museum in 1968 A.D., which is remained popular till today. Now, mainly historical galleries, Judhhajatiya art galleries, and Buddhist art galleries are providing service to visitors to this museum. Gradually, it becomes an important destination for the visitors like students, and international and domestic tourists. The museum also has an auditorium having a sitting capacity of 142 participants with a comfortable chair with a podium facilitated, a good audiovisual and lighting system. It complexes are provided with gardens and are also good for a day’s outing for a family with children and spend a day in an academic tour and relaxation.