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.
