In the afternoon we walked to the Swayambhunath temple ( monkey temple) and climbed the many steps up to the stupa. (450). It was a good practice run for our trek. Many people on the steps begging and selling things. Lots of monkeys around, some sliding on the stair railings. The soaring central stupa is topped by a gold coloured square block from which the watchful eyes of the Buddha gaze out across the valley. Love those Buddha eyes.
We spun the series of prayer wheels which are set around the base of the central stupa. It is proper to do this from left to right. Each prayer wheel carries the sacred mantra "om mani padme hum". The prayer flags also carry mantras and with each breeze the prayers are carried away.
We entered the temple and listened to the monks chanting and trumpeting. A service takes place every day at 4:00 pm.
This is a combination of Buddha and Hindu temples which indicates the constant interweaving of Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal.