Swayambhunath by wysiwig
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Description
Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex, dating as far back as far as the third century BCE, atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. According to Buddhist mythology, the valley was once filled with an enormous lake, out of which grew a lotus. The valley came to be known as Swayambhu, meaning "Self-Created." The Bodhisatva Manjushri (Gentle Glory) had a vision of the lotus at Swayambhu and traveled there to worship it. Realizing that the valley would be a good place for human settlement, Manjushri cut a gorge through the hills. The water drained out of the lake, leaving the valley in which Kathmandu now lies. The lotus was transformed into a hill.
The site may be accessed from two directions: a long stairway, which is said to have 365 steps leads to the main platform of the temple, and a car road around the hill from the south leading to the southwest entrance. On my first visit I climbed the stairs. On my second I took the bus. This is a part of the Swayambhu Stupa with the Buddha's eyes looking out over the valley. I thought I'd share this with you before we move on.
Comments (20)
netot
Great photo!!Excellente color! Why most people represent deities as severe? God is love!
auntietk
Wonderful image! I would have taken the bus the second time too!
durleybeachbum
Superb! I'm afraid I'm also a bus person now.
mbz2662
Cool :)
Faemike55
Great capture and narrative The bus the second time as well
mariogiannecchini
Fantastic capture, Mark! I think that the bus is more comfortable!
JuliSonne
Your reports are soo interesting and instructive. I love this and am grateful. In this case especially. It saves me the run wink A true work of art!
bobrgallegos
Wonderful shot and great narrative!!
tennesseecowgirl
I am sure it was worth every step, nice photo. I learn so much from your posts.
sandra46
REALLY FASCINATING
0rest4wicked
Bet there were a few more photo ops taking the stairs!
hipps13
wonderful warm hugs, Linda
vaggabondd
now thats old, nice shot
psyoshida
Fascinating history (mythology) and a lovely shot. Walking up 365 stairs would take me as many days to reach the top. Those eyes are great looking if not a bit sleepy after all those steps.
myrrhluz
I think I'd like to try the stairs once, with a rest after every 50, 40, 30, 20, 10. I'd want to take the bus down though. Interesting legend. Wonderful place and capture, with beautiful colors and detail. His nose looks like a question mark at this angle.
jif3d
So much for the hill's having eye's, this is even more scary...I mean if you don't follow the ways of the Buddha and have been naughty...LOL Nice crisp capture and well composed ! BTW, thanx for the Burfday wishes and guess wot ? I drive an Impreza as well ! ~Cheers~
blondeblurr
So, what are you saying? that the second time you were not as fit? or maybe you were just tired and we leave it at that ;) Those eyes are really hypnotising and a bit scary, as Jeff mentioned before! BB *** BTW a little correction on my last upload FYI - J. has only got the date of the day (8.12.) in common with J.L. - not the year! haha, he is a bit older, unfortunately my demise and who likes to reveal their real age? not 'moi' ... Our Subie is the most beautiful British racing green! or Russian bottle green? but then again Vodka comes only in clear bottles ;) ponder! and the car before this one - was also a Subie - and the one before that!!! wouldn't want anything else ever - HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY ~
Chipka
I love this glimpse into a world that is most definitely not western and the contrasts in this image are perfect. The intensity of the colors: especially of the eyes, and the grayness of the sky is incredibly striking. I love the details, the way there's so much to see in this shot, and none of its boring or superfluous. The POV is excellent as it has a kind of intimacy to it that appeals to me. Brilliant and informative work.
GiMi53
Very interesting shot/POV; thanks for sharing ! Congratulations for your selection in LWitG #50 (Last Week in the Gallery #50) ! :~)
jophoto
Great POV on this! Congratulations for your selection in LWitG #50