Swayambunath Monkey

When we go to Nepal, we mostly stay in Bodha (Boudhanath) with occasional trips out. Bodha is a small area in Kathmandu surrounding the chörten there. The air is generally better there than in other places in Kathmandu there seems to be somewhat less polution in Bodha because there is no traffic. Outside the main Bodha Gate there is a great deal of traffic.

On our first full day in Nepal we visited the chörten at Swayambunath. This is similar in style to the chörten at Bodha. One immediately noticeable difference is the number of monkeys around the chörten the other difference is the way that the shops crowd all over the Swayambunath site.

Some of our group could remember the place as it was 20 years ago when it was easier to discern it as a place of pilgrimage. The chörten is beautiful and there is also a temple where the atmosphere is more quiet and meditative. I would very much like to have known this place as it was two decades ago.