What is the history of Swayambhunath or Monkey Temple

Swayambhunath, an ancient religious architecture, is situated atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley. According to Swayambhu Purana, the entire valley was an enormous lake, out of which grew a lotus. The valley came to be known as Swayambhu, meaning "Self-Created”. it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites and also revered by Hindu. The complex consists of a stupa, shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on looking in all four directions. Swayambhunath was founded by King Vṛsadeva, about the beginning of the 5th century CE. A damaged stone inscription at the site indicates the work done in 640 CE. However, Emperor Ashoka is said to have visited the site in the third century BCE. He built a temple on the hill which was later destroyed. Circling the stupa, devotees pay worship by spinning the praying wheels. It is also known as Monkey Temple for the living of holy monkeys. They are holy as they are the head lice of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom and learning. Devotees give foods to the monkeys. The stupa was renovated in 2010 and the dome was re-gilded using 20 kg of gold. The Swayambhunath complex suffered damage in the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. The complex consists shops those sell verities of Nepali traditional artifacts and souvenirs. Swayambhunath is also a famous view point of the Kathmandu valley.

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