Monkey Temple Nepal

Image Credit : https://ntb.gov.np/swayambhunath

Do you have plans to travel to Nepal? Are you interested in learning about the Monkey temple in Nepal? Do you wonder what history, culture, tradition, architecture and other things this amazing temple bears? If so, then this article can offer you detailed information about its history, mythology, architecture, symbolism, nearby attractions, main festivals, and interesting facts.

During your visit to Nepal, find peace and tranquility at Swayambhunath in the Kathmandu valley. The historical religious heritage is also called the “Monkey Temple” by travelers and locals alike. The temples overlook the stunning valley, offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills and landscapes.

Monkey Temple Nepal has been considered a hallmark of harmony and faith by religious followers and devotees for centuries. Located 3 km from the center of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Also, it is one of the oldest stupas in Nepal, featuring numerous monasteries and shrines.

The temple also features a large image of Sakyamuni Buddha on the western boundary of its premises. You can also explore temples and shrines dedicated to deities such as Saraswati and Manjusri. Wander around the temple premises, looking at the images of deities and spinning prayer wheels.

The name Swayambhu means the self-existent one”, and the temple dates back as far as 460 A.D. Some believe that the Stupa came into existence from a lotus flower. The Kathmandu valley was once a giant lake, and the flower bloomed in the middle.

Mythology and History of Monkey Temple Nepal

Swayambhunath temple is one of the important sacred sites in Kathmandu. One of the primary reasons for its significance is its rich and complex history. The Monkey Temple Nepal we know today was built in the 13th century by King Mandeva. Since then, the Stupa has become an important site for Buddhism.

There are numerous myths surrounding the origin of Swayambhunath temple. According to a widely believed legend, Manjushree, the bodhisattva of wisdom, saw a bright blue light in the middle of the lake while resting on Mahamandap hill in Bhaktapur.

Manjushree cut the Chobar hill with his sword and drained the water from the giant lake. It led to the valley being habitable. He then moved the lotus with the blue flame on a steep hill. The light was placed inside a Stupa and was visited by numerous Buddhist gurus, including the great Shakyamuni.

The legend has inspired numerous travelers with inspiration to struggle the climb up the hill and explore the magnificent Stupa.

Architecture and Symbolism of Monkey Temple Nepal

The Monkey Temple in Nepal is one of Nepal’s finest pieces of art. Thousands of tourists and local inhabitants visit the Stupa to see the beauty and experience the rich cultural heritage. In terms of architecture, the Swayambhunath base is cubical and has a pentagon-shaped Toran on all four sides.

Further, a pair of eyes are depicted on each side of the Stupa, indicating that the presence of God is omnipresent. Each pair of these eyes features a third eye, the eye of wisdom. At the same time, the nose represents the unity of all things.

The Stupa is a white dome structure filled with several artifacts and statues. The structure is highly symbolic, and it is widely believed that it represents the enlightened state of mind of Gautam Buddha. The umbrella you will witness at the top of Swayambhunath represents enlightenment, and the gilded spire with the thirteen golden disks is said to represent the 13 steps to achieve enlightenment.

Further, you can explore the five statues of Dhyani Buddhas, which are known to represent cosmic elements. It includes Ratnasambhava (earth), Akshobhya (water), Vairocana (ether), Amoghasiddhi (air), and Amitabha (Fire).

You can make your way to the Stupa using the stairs to the top of the hill. It is a popular route that the pilgrimage and visitors take to visit the site. Also, you can reach the Stupa from another entrance on the west side, which features fewer steps than the other one.

During your exploration, you can witness a 12 feet tall Tibetan prayer wheel on the eastern side of the Stupa. It takes two individuals to move the wheel, and every revolution causes a bell to ring. It creates an ambiance, making it enjoyable to explore ancient buddha statues and island inscriptions on the stones and the wall.

Exciting Facts About Monkey Temple Nepal

• The sacred Stupa is worshiped by both Hindus and Buddhists alike. Numerous Hindu temples surround Swayambhunath. It is among the religious sites in the world where two religious beliefs coexist in harmony.
• Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple of Nepal, hundreds of monkeys have lived in the religious sites for ages and are considered “holy monkeys.” It is believed that Manjushri grew his hair while he was staying on the hill, and the lice from his hair transformed into monkeys.
• You must walk 365 steep stones from the main road to reach the main Stupa.
• The religious site is sacred for Tibetan Buddhists and Newar Buddhists.
• Swayambhunath was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979.
• When you visit the Stupa, you must walk in a clockwise direction around the Stupa.

Main Festivals of Monkey Temple Nepal

You can enhance your travel experience in Swayambhunath when you visit it during special occasions and festivals. Some of the important festivals celebrated at the site are as follows :

Buddha Jayanti: The festival, also known as Buddha Purnima, is a festival that is dedicated to Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. Buddha Jayati mainly falls during April or May.

Gunlaa: It is an important festival of the Newar Buddhists celebrating the rain’s retreat. During the month-long festival, devotees play traditional Newar music and recite scriptures. The respective festivals usually fall in August.

Lhosar: Another festival you can experience and immerse yourself in is Losar. The occasion celebrates the Buddhist New Year; “Lo” means new, and “Sar” means year. It falls during February.

Highlights in Monkey Temple of Nepal

The site is a hotspot for exploring Buddhism’s ancient cultural and religious heritage. Apart from the main Stupa, you can visit numerous other shrines, statues and temples around Swayambhunath. To make this easier, we have listed some of the best attractions you can explore while visiting the Monkey Temple Nepal.

Harati Devi Temple

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Harati, the eradicator of smallpox. The shrine is built with bricks in pagoda style. Numerous people visit the temple to pray and seek blessings.

Shantipur

Shantipur is a mysterious temple in Nepal with a secret underground chamber, and only Buddhacharya priests have the authority to enter the temple. It is one of the highlights of Monkey temple of Nepal.  of A legend says that during the 5th century, Shantikar Acharya, a Tantric master, visited the temple and sealed himself in the chamber.

The saint is believed to be still alive and meditating in the chamber. Another legend tells us that King Pratap Malla went to the chamber to end the drought in Kathmandu in 1658. The king mentions having to go through several underground chambers to reach Shankar. The tantric master gave king Pratap a Mandala to solve the issue. As a result, it started to rain as soon as the king came out of the temple.

Agnipur

The shrine is a small structure with two lion statues in the front dedicated to the God of Fire, Agni.

Nagpur

It is a tank dedicated to Naga. Naga is the snake god; you can see his idol at the bottom of the tank.

Vayupur

The shrine is a remarkable structure dedicated to Vayu, the God of Wind and air.

Pratapur and Anantapur

The two shikar-style temples were built in 1646 by King Pratap Malla. King Pratap Malla dedicated the temple to himself and his wife, Anata Priya.

Vasundhara Mandir

The temple is dedicated to Vasundhara, the Goddess of prosperity, wealth and abundance. The Goddess is similar to Lakshmi, who is the Goddess of Wealth.

Agam House

Also known as Aagan Chhen, the Agam House is a shelter designated for Buddhacharya priests and their respective families.

Statue of Dipankara

Another stunning attraction in the Monkey temple of Nepal is the Statue of Dipankara, which is located on the northwest side of the temple. The deity is also commonly known as “Buddha Of Light,” who is regarded to be the previous Buddha who attained enlightenment before Siddhartha Gautam Buddha. It is said that the statue dates back to the 7th century.

The Vajra thunderbolt

On the eastern part of the Monkey Temple Nepal, you can walk on the stairs to the top and find the giant gilded Vajr. It is also known as Dorje, the Great Thunderbolt. The structure is decorated with the Tibetan zodiac and represents the power of enlightenment.

Swayambhu Buddhist Museum

Most travelers miss out on the small museum on the premises of the Stupa. However, we strongly recommend you pay a visit as it is an excellent opportunity to witness incredible buddha statues and relics.

The Chaityas courtyard

Another highlight of the Swayambhunath stupa, which you might miss exploring, is the Chaitya courtyard. The attraction is located on the northwest side of Swayambhunath temple, where you can find an opening with several chaityas.

The World Peace Pond

On the western side of the Stupa, you will come across the World Peace Pond, where you will see a Buddha statue on a lotus flower. You can immerse yourself in the local tradition and toss a coin in the pond at the location. Your wish will be granted if the coin reaches the bucket at the bottom of the pond.

The Monasteries

During your exploration, you can visit numerous monasteries around the Stupa. One of the monasteries, the Karma Raja Maha Vihar, is located on the north side of the Monkey temple Nepal. At the same time, you can also explore the Dewa Dharma Monastery to witness the bronze statue of Buddha and intricate Tibetan paintings. Besides, remember to visit the Whochen Thokjay Monastery, located on the Stupa’s north side.

The Buddha Amideva Park

After you explore the Stupa, you can relax in the Buddha Amideva Park. The attraction is located at the base of the hill. The park is famous for its three golden statues representing Chenrezig, Shakyamuni Buddha and Guru Rinpoche.

Best Time to Visit Monkey Temple Nepal

The best time to visit Monkey Temple of Nepal depends on your preference and the purpose of the visit. However, the ideal time to visit the destination is the spring and autumn seasons, which fall between February to April and September to November. During this time of the year, you will experience dry and mild weather conditions with clear skies and pleasant temperatures.

This makes it an ideal time to explore the temple and witness the beauty of the Kathmandu valley and its surroundings. During this time, you can immerse yourself in several festivals and occasions in the valley. It includes Holi and Buddha Jayanti, significantly enhancing your experience of the local traditions and culture.

When and How to Visit Monkey Temple Nepal?

As one of the best tourist destinations in Kathmandu, the Monkey temple is usually crowded with international and domestic tourists. We recommend you travel during the late evening or the early morning to avoid crowds. In addition, it allows you to experience the magnificent sunset and sunrise over the hills of Kathmandu city.

And remember there is no specific code to visit the Stupa but dress modestly as it is one of the holiest religious sites in Nepal. Besides, we recommend you pair your Swayambhunath temple visit with Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is one of the nearest most popular attractions to the Stupa.

How To Travel to the Monkey Temple Of Nepal?

There are several convenient ways to travel to the Monkey Temple. To make your trip effortless and convenient, we have listed the best means of travel to the Stupa.

Taxi: Taxis and private cars are readily available throughout Kathmandu and can be hired for a fixed price or negotiated with the driver. Depending on traffic, it takes around 2-30 minutes from Thamel to reach Swayambhunath.

Bus: Another popular way to reach Swayambhunath is by bus. Local buses run from various parts of Kathmandu and stop near the temple complex. The bus fare is relatively cheap, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers.

On foot: For those who prefer to walk, reaching Swayambhunath on foot from Thamel is possible. The walk takes around 50-60 minutes and offers a scenic route through the bustling streets of Kathmandu.

Where to Eat Around Monkey Temple Of Nepal?

Apart from being one of the most visited destinations in Kathmandu, the Monkey Temple also offers some of the best eateries in the city located around its surroundings. These establishments offer travelers a wide variety of international and Nepali traditional cuisine.

One famous place we recommend is the Himalayan Friendship Restro & Bar. These Nepalese restaurants offer visitors unique and flavourful cuisine. Additionally, it has a traditional and cozy ambiance and is an excellent outlet for local delicacies.

Another great option near the Stupa is the renowned Lamee Coffee. The restaurant offers a wide range of international food and beverages. It is a perfect place for travelers to take a break from the local cuisines and enjoy their preferred comfort food.

For those looking for a delicate dining experience, the Tamang Kutap Dhim Restaurant is an excellent choice. The restaurant offers a menu that blends Nepali and international cuisine. The atmosphere is peaceful and serene, making it an ideal place for a romantic dinner or a special occasion.

Where to Stay Near Monkey Temple Nepal?

During your visit to Kathmandu, Nepal, there are several options for accommodations near Swayambhunath. These accommodations range from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury hotels. One of the most popular options for accommodations near Swayambhunath is the Hotel Ganesh Himal. The hotel is located just a short walk from the temple and offers clean and comfortable rooms at an affordable price. The hotel has a rooftop terrace with city views, making it a great place to relax after exploring.

Further, for travelers looking for a personalized experience with excellent hospitality and service near Swayambhunath, the Shambaling Hotel is an excellent choice. The hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites with modern amenities. Also, it features a beautiful garden and a rooftop terrace, providing a peaceful and serene atmosphere for you to enjoy.

Apart from Monkey temple in Nepal, a trip to Kathmandu offers you many other exciting destinations to explore, including historic sites like the Durbar Squares.  To enhance your travel experience, we recommend the best Nepali travel agencies that can help you plan your trip, ensuring that you make the most of your time in Nepal. 

Additionally, these Nepali trekking companies can also help you get the best travel experience if you plan to venture on exciting treks such as the Annapurna Circuit trek and Manslu trek. With its welcoming people, stunning scenery, and rich cultural heritage, a trip to Nepal is an experience not to be missed.

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