Swayambhunath
It is in the immediate surroundings of Kathmandu, on a hill which shows it by far, a superb Buddhist Stupa of Swayambhunath. One reaches on top of the hill by two series of staircases, in the west very short , in the east a long flight of steps, but much more majestic, among the trees.
On top of the staircases, l notice an imposing dorje (the lightning-diamond emblematic of Buddhism tibétain) on a piedestal.
On its circumference, in the various cardinal points, the symbolic systems of the Buddha are illustrated. The prayer wheels that the innumerable pilgrims actuate while making turn of the stupa in the direction (auspicieux) of the needles of a watch qre unforgettable
A little further, a small very overloaded temple of brass decorations, is invaded by the women who come to beseech Hariti, the goddess of the fertility which, incidentally, is supposed to protect from variola with, an admirable very old statue of Buddha on foot
A stupa is a buddhist memorial . The interior in is full, except, sometimes, of a small secret room, containing a crowned relic (here a fragment of a bone of the Buddha). The stupa is composed of several parts which are superimposed: the base, often made on heights of steps, symbolizes the ground; the dome, the highest part and most visible, symbolize water; an arrow with steps (fire, 13 steps of the steps symbolizing the stages of the spiritual step towards the Release - Nirvana), a parasol (air) then a summit point (ether). The third element, namely the arrow, has a square base, which not only is used to sit its base, but present the characteristic to be painted very expressive eyes above which the third eye is illustrated, that of Wisdom and Knowledge
Bodhnath
When one arrives at the large stupa of Bodhnath, by a lane narrow which does not let anything predict , one remains struck by the width of the monument, its immaculate whiteness. Around, in a ceaseless round, Buddhist crowd of pilgrims (many tibétains) or others ravels in the direction of the needles of a watch, frequently stopping with the many mills of prayer to actuate them, thus practising the mantra it crowned "OM Mani Padme Hum". It reigns here an atmosphere of meditation.
Pashupatinath
This high place of pilgrimage of the admirers of Shiva, on the banks of Bagmati. Indeed, the t beautiful temple of Pashupati (another name of Shiva, in its shape of Lord of the herds) is inaccessible to non Hindus . Can be admired externally;
One also can,observe around oneself the extremely aesthetic lines small chaitya. Shiva lingam. Or watch the crémations in progress on the ghats
Kirtipur
This curious
agglomeration with typical houses and the peaceful atmosphere,
which is spread out along a narrow peak, with a few km of Kathmandu, is a
known center of weaving.
Kirtipur is visited not only for the splendid view it offers but also for the two beautiful temples .
The temple of Bagh Bhairav to the unexpected swords and others weapons fixed on the walls...
The temple of Uma Maheshvar, whose high silhouette is profiled at the end of the village. One reaches it by a sloping staircase kept by stone elephants.
Dakshinakali
At the bottom of a ravine, at the end of a mountain road holding beautiful panoramas on the chain of the Himalayas, this astonishing place of pilgrimage, is extremely attended . Here, the extremely religious people come to sacrifice to the goddess Kâlî, a sanguinary form of Shakti of Lord Shiva .
It is known that they are crowned rites, but the spectacle is very bloody and can upset
Buddhanilkantha
The legend of Narayana resting on the snake of Eternity, Ananta, which took care on Him.
is illustrated in Buddhanilkantha by a fabulous sculpture of stone, of Nepal, of the 7 th or 8 th century. Vishnu-Narayana rests on the snake with multiple convolutions and the heads of Naga are drawn up to protect the god. The statue is located in the middle of a small basin of water, surrounded by unaesthetic and solid iron grid.
Gokarna
It is a 16 th
century old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, in its form of Mahâdeva.It has
an admirable pushed back brass torana which surmounts the principal entryAn
extraordinary collection of old stone statues, surrounds the temple and borders
the way which reaches it. One distinguishes there astonishing Shiva, associated
Kamadeva, - the god of the Love and Sûrya, - the sun god, Ganesh
, gracious Sarasvatî, etc
Chobar
