Oldest Buddhist and Hindu temple

Swayambhunath, also known as the "Monkey Temple," is a sacred Buddhist stupa located on a hillock overlooking Kathmandu Valley. The stupa, believed to be over 2,000 years old, is considered one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. The name Swayambhu, meaning "self-existent one," reflects the legend of its spontaneous creation from a lotus flower that bloomed in a primordial lake. The stupa is a symbol of religious harmony, incorporating Hindu temples and deities within its Buddhist complex. Visitors can reach the top by climbing steep stone steps or by taking a motor road. The site is filled with shrines, monasteries, prayer wheels, and statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities, attracting devotees from both religions. The largest crowds gather on Buddha's birthday in May, making Swayambhunath a place where religious harmony is vividly displayed. #monkeytemple #swayambu