Temples in Kathmandu

Monday 20th September.

The Western Entrance where the monkeys congregate.

Our first full day in Kathmandu was spent touring led by our guide for the day Ram. First stop was the Buddhist temple Swayambhu (also known as the monkey temple for obvious reasons). We entered from the west rather than the 365 steps of the main eastern (sun rise).

Singing bowls do just that when rubbed. The larger healing bowls are tapped to sing and placed on the body part that needs healing.

Locals getting in on the act

The prayer wheels appear everywhere within buddhist temples and monastries. They spin freely and pilgrims (and others) spin them with their right hand (path of the sun) as a prayer.

On our way to the next temple, the Hindu temple Pashupatinath, we had a minor accident with a motorcyclist. Fortunately no serious damage was done and the matter settled quickly.

Pashupatinath is on the Bagmati river. and the locals bring their dead to the river, cremate them and their ashes are washed away. The Temple is the most holy Hindu temple in the world.

A linga - a series of aligned small temples

Iain being entertained by the monks

Next stop was the Boudhanath buddhist temple with the biggest Stupa in Asia.

Stupa taken from rooftop reasturant

Lunch was in a great rooftop reasturant, with John (Aus) having to sort out the bill at the end.

We were then led to the Boudha Stupa Thanka Centre, an art centre where they produced the traditional Thanka paintings (10th Century) by both masters (20 + years experience) and students at greatly varying prices. The paintings in incredible fine art depict the History of Buddha, the wheel of life and the Mandala.

Students are volunteers

Needless to say we were all tempted with these great art works.