Swayambhunath Temple, Kathmandu, Bagmati Nepal

Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the most oldest Shrine in Nepal. The monument is believed to be self created and the history of the monument backs to the 5th Century. It is also known as the Monkey temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. Swayambhunath complex is comprised of several other temples and shrine some dating back to the Licchavi period and museum, library and Tibetran monastery are recently added.

Swayambhunath is among the oldest religious sites in Nepal. There are several legends which describe Swayambhunath was born out of a lotus flower that bloomed in the middle of the Kathmandu which was a big lake at that time. Then the warrior named Manjushree came from China and he drained the water from the Kathmandu Valley and worshiped this grandeur monument. The largest image of Gautama Buddha in Nepal was recently built on the western boundary of Swayambhunath.