Swayambhu Mahachaitya, also known as the Monkey, sits atop a hill in western Kathmandu. Enlisted in UNESCO in 1979, it is a sacred Buddhist site with panoramic views of the valley. The 365 stone steps symbolize the journey of life. According to legend, it self-emerged from a lotus flower in the ancient Kathmandu Lake. The Stupa, surrounded by shrines and fluttering prayer flags, is full of spiritual energy.
The myth is that a Bodhisattva named Nagarjuna planted a lotus seed in the ancient Kathmandu Valley, when it was still a lake. When the flower bloomed, it emitted a brilliant light, and that place, where it bloomed, is called Swayambhu, meaning self-arisen. From then on, many pilgrims visited the alley in hopes of seeing the flower. Later, another bodhisattva named Manjushree, on his pilgrimage, saw the Kathmandu Valley and wanted to turn it into a habitable place, realizing its potential. He thus cut a gouge on the Chobar hills, draining all the water out. When people began to move in, they saw a bright flame from the Swayambhu hills and built a dome to protect it and hold rituals. The top part was later added on, and from then on it became Swayambhu Mahachaitya.
This is just one of the myths; there are many other myths with different interpretations.
The Swayambhu Mahachaitya is a culturally and historically important place where people from all around the world come to visit to learn about this place. There is a mix of Hindu and Buddhist cultures intertwined, showing religious harmony between cultures and the respect they have for each other. From the top of the hill, you can see the whole of the Kathmandu Valley. You can even see the Nagarjuna Hill, where Bodhisattva Nagarjuna practiced meditation.
There are other monuments there too, like the peace pond, monastery, Hindu temples, etc., for example, the Ajima temple, the Hindu goddess of smallpox. In the times when there were no hospitals in Kathmandu, parents took their children to Ajima to pray for their child’s survival. This kind of ritual is still being done in modern times, where the parents will take their child to the Ajima temple and then finally to the hospital.
Boudha Park
Boudha Park lies on the bottom right of the Swayambhu. It is a serene place where you can witness three large statues of Buddha, each representing different things. When you enter the park, on the right, you can see the Compassion Buddha. He is holding a lotus flower and beads. In the middle, there is a wisdom Buddha, who is holding a bowl that is said to have the elixir of immortality in it. And on the very right, there is a powerful Buddha, who is holding a trident and a Vajra, both weapons that symbolize power. It is believed in the Buddhist world that to have peace in society, one must have wisdom, compassion, and power. Lack any of them and there will be no peace in this world. Behind the three statues, there is a statue of Milarepa. His hands are near his ears, telling people to listen to their teachers and follow what they say.