Swoyambhunath, stands at the top of the Kathmandu valley, is one of the oldest religious heritage and major tourist attraction in Nepal. This stupa is situated approximately 4 Km west of Kathmandu City. It is made of solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty gold plated conical spire capped by a pinnacle. Painted on the four sides of the spire bases are the large eyes of Lord Buddha witnessing the reality and representing compassion and wisdom while the dome of Sutpa represents the entire world. It is situated on a hillock of 77 m high above the level of the Kathmandu valley and has a bird’s eye view of Kathmandu City. The site carries significant importance for the pilgrims and has been listed in UNESCO World Heritage site which in other word also known as ‘Monkey Temple’. The temple has more to offer as a tourist destination than just being a religious destination for the devotees. The surroundings of Stupa consist of the chaityas, temples, painted images of deities, and other paintings which have religious significance. Magnificently carved structures, paintings, view of hundreds of candles burning, heavenly fragrance of the incense develops a magical atmosphere in this religious site.
The major attractions in the site are huge Buddha statue on the west side of the stupa, huge gold-plated Vajra ‘Thunderbolt’ on the east, Sleeping Buddha and Dewa Dharma Monastery, noted for a bronze icon of Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings. Tourist can also have a short experience of hike while walking the steep stones leading up to the shrine. Various festivals are celebrated in the holy shrine including Buddha Jayanti and Lhosar. In these occasions, the stupa is decorated and devotees accumulate for the prayers. The month long Gunla celebration marking an impression of the end of rainy season, welcoming the new one is yet another event that makes the traveller’s purpose of visiting meaningful.