Swayambhunath temple

Set on a hilltop to the west of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath is the 2nd most necessary shrine in the Kathmandu Valley after Boudhanath. Due to the resident monkeys that inhabit parts of the temple, it is greater affectionately regarded as the Monkey Temple.

The Swayambhu Stupa, painted with the eyes of the omnipresent god, forms the centerpiece of the temple complex. It was once at first a prehistoric cult site, but the temple premises dates to the fifth century. Swayambhu plays a principal section in the lives of the Vajrayana Buddhists of Northern Nepal and Tibet, however particularly of the Newari Buddhists of the Kathmandu Valley.

The 2015 earthquake caused some harm to the Swayambhunath temple complex; however, repairs are now complete, and the temple is returned to its unique condition.