DISCOVERING KATHMANDU

It's the next day and we are ready to see some more of Nepal. First stop, The Monkey Temple!

Swayambhunath (or monkey temple) an ancient religious temple on top of a hill in the Kathmandu Valley.

According to Swayambhu Purana, the entire valley was once filled with an enormous lake, out of which grew a lotus. The valley came to be known as Swayambhu, meaning "Self-Created."

Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in the north-west parts of the temple. They are holy because Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom and learning was raising the hill which the stupa stands on. He was supposed to leave his hair short but he made it grow long and head lice grew. It is said that the head lice transformed into these monkeys.

2nd Stop, Patan Durbar square.

The history of the Durbar Square is not clear. Although the Malla Kings of Lalitpur are given credit for establishing the royal square, it is known that the site is an ancient crossroad. One of its attraction is the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided.

Our last and for me the most beautiful spot in Kathmandu: The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath

Enjoy!

'Bodnath' was probably built in the 14th century and has become one of the most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism. Today it remains an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists.

The stupa represents the body of Boudha and his eyes watch over the Buddhists pilgrims.