Swayambhunath Stupa

A Presentation on Swayambhunath Stupa.
Swayambhunath Stupa is enlisted in the UNESCO's World Heritage Site.
It is in the capital city of Nepal and a major shrine for both Hindu and Buddhist followers.
This presentation helps you understand about Stupa architecture and Swayambhunath shrine and its areas nearby.

1. History of Nepalese Architecture PowerPoint Presentation On Swayambhunath Stupa Submitted By: Prajina Shrestha - B.Arch /072/25 Shishir Raj Baral – B.Arch /072/43

2. General Introduction Swayambhunath Stupa is a magnificent architectural legend. One of the most ancient stupa about 2000 years old . Has been settled on the hill top amidst the forest. Hill contains small chaityas , tiered temples and a famous ancient monastery. Holiest place of Buddhism in Nepal. Enlisted in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites from Nepal Location Situated on a hill in Kathmandu valley about 6.5 km. west from the center of Kathmandu. To reach the top of the hill where the stupa and temples stand there is the staircase of about 336 stone steps (i.e. nearly equal to 90.00m from the road level).

3. Stupa Stupa is a  mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics that is used as a place of meditation . Many rulers and great persons in different places were buried in earthen mounds, which developed different shapes in the course of time. Chief symbols belonging exclusively to Buddhism. In Nepal today, the stupa itself is worshipped as the symbol of Buddha.

4. The Primary Trio Stupa mainly consists of three primary elements namely, Finial Dome Drum

5. The Finial Composed of a square cube, a pyramid and a pinnacle. Cube ( Harmica ) The cube (in Sanskrit : Harmica ) is solidly made of brick, plastered or covered by gilt metal sheets. Harmica displays the unique eyes of the Buddha at its each face. Cube also fixes the wooden mast that penetrates the dome below almost down to the drum.

6. Pyramid Mostly 13 stepped pyramid. (5,7,9 and 11 steps occur in small number too) Two main types of pyramid; Wooden or Solid of brick. Wooden steps are covered by gilt ( g old plated) metal sheets. In wooden construction, the central mast keeps 13 umbrellas of different dia in position. Pyramid made solidly of brick is plastered and covered with gilt metal sheets.

7. Pinnacle Wooden construction covered by gilt metal sheets. Consists of the top of the central beam, the Gajur and an umbrella. Typical top of the roofs of different shrines and sacral buildings .

8. The Dome Most important part of the stupa as it contains the relics. Classical form : Solid hemispherical. In Sanskrit either anda or garbha . Made generally of brick. Plastered and white washed on the surface. Holds the central mast.

9. The Drum (Plinth) Lowest element of a chaitya or stupa. Functions first as a mediator between the sub-structure and the foundation. Also to separate the divine chaitya from the unclean ground. Earliest form : Round Diameter is generally larger than that of the dome.

10. In these pictures, we can see how a stupa is generally built from the inside.

11. Origin of the Swayambhunath Stupa The Kathmandu valley was a vast lake long before the dawn of history. Buddha Shakyamuni's predecessor Vipaswi came to Nepal to meditate at the hill that rose from the lake on its western shore. Wishing to give the rough mountain people an object of worship, Vipaswi throw a lotus seed into the lake. When his lotus bloomed, a light shone from the center of its thousand petals and illuminated the entire valley. This light was called the Swayambhu Dharmadhatu (the self-sprung infinite field of light and the flame of the enlightened mind of the primal Buddha). Vajradhara was also emanated in the colors of the rainbow and in each of the five colors appeared one of the five Buddha, Variochana , Akshobhaya , Ratnasambhava , Amitabha and Amogasidhi . Manjushree came to the valley from the far west of China. He arrived here and developed the holy place by giving the definite form to the lotus flowers and shine. He cut a passage through the hills in Chobhar to let the water out and thus changed this area from lake to an inhabitable land. Later on, king Prachanda Dev came to the Swayambhu and covered the lotus with dome and gave it an architectural form. Henceforth this stupa was built as an important Buddhist place .

12. Architecture of the Stupa The  stupa  consists of a dome at the base, above which is a cubical structure painted with eyes of  Buddha  looking in all four directions. There are pentagonal  Toran  present above each of the four sides with statues engraved in them. Behind and above the Torana there are thirteen tiers. Above all the tiers there is a small space above which the  Gajur  is present. The   stupa  has many artifacts inside it . There are carvings and statues of the Panch Buddhas (five Buddhas ) on each of the four sides of the stupa.

13. Fig : East Elevation of the Stupa Fig : Plan of the dome

14. Symbolism of the Stupa The dome at the base represents the entire world. When a person awakes (represented by eyes of wisdom and compassion) from the bonds of the world, the person reaches the state of enlightenment. The thirteen steps on the top symbolize that sentient beings have to go through the thirteen stages of spiritual realizations to reach enlightenment or Buddhahood. The mysterious eyes, painted on all four sides of the stupa's spire, represent the eyes of the Buddha and face the four cardinal directions--east, west, north, and south. Between each pair of eyes, where the nose would be, is what looks like a question mark. This is actually the Nepali character for the number 1, which symbolizes unity and the "one" way to reach enlightenment-through the Buddha's teachings. Above this is the third eye, symbolizing the all-seeing wisdom of the Buddha.

15. Area around the Stupa The Swayambhu Stupa [1] or Caitya stands on the highest point of the twin-peaked hill rising at the center of the Kathmandu Valley. Climbing up the long row of steps on the hill’s eastern side and mounting the last section of stairs, one is directly faced with the Buddha’s eyes painted on the top of the stupa. When walking around the stupa clockwise, one passes five shrines symbolizing the mandala of the Five Buddha families, represented by Akshobhya [2], Ratnasambhava [4], Amitabha [5], and Amoghasiddhi [6]; the 5th Buddha Vairochana [3] is placed next to the shrine of Akshobya . The shrines between them contain different forms of the female bodhisattva Tara [7].

16. Other Shrine in Swayambhu PRATAPURA Shikhara styled temple. Dedicated to god Mahasambhar . Base is square in plan. The golden gajur (pinnacle) is constructed of brick and bajra . The materials used in the temple is stone and bajra . Established in 1654A.D ., by King Pratap Malla . Renovated in 1922 A.D .   ANANTAPURA Also a shikhara style temple located on the eastern side of the stupa. Dedicated to god Nil Saraswati and Ugratara . Established in 1654A.D., by one of the queen of Pratap Malla . Renovated in 1922A.D.

17. HARATI TEMPLE Harati mata is referred as the mother of all children in the world. It is two tiered temple facing south. The present structure is a recent origin, replacing an older one built in 1807 AD. It is above 9 to10 m in height. All roofs are gilded. There are toranas on the side of the main entrance. The pinnacle is typical which has a stupa over which a flat metallic bar supports an umbrella. It is notable for the excellent combination of wooden sculpture, metal works and stone inscription. Rana Bahadur Shah donated the goddess statue and Jung Bahadur Rana donated the gilded roof during their reigning periods.

18. SHANTIPUR Brick building on the northern side of Swayambhu . Dedicated to god Mahasam Bharadigan . Renovated in 1938 and 1968A.D. It is a very simple construction.

19. GROUP OF 35 CHAITYAS The group of 35 chaityas in the northern yard is another important feature. The two dome fragment of Lichchavi chaityas is rearranged with new finials and placed on a secondary plinth. It is in the 18 th century when about 25 chaityas were built in the form of shikara kuta chaitya within only one generation.  

20. KINDOL BIHAR Brick building at Swayambhu dedicated to Bhumisparsa Shakyamuni . Established in1666A.D. Renovated in1925A.D. Got carvings on the torana and the roof is gilded .

21. MANJUSHREE MANDIR Established in 17 th century. Dedicated to Manjushree. On the torana of the temple, there are carved figures of Ganesha , Bageswar and Buddha. In 1784A.D., a shakya vikshu named Jayapatideva renovated the temple . PANCHATATTVA The temple of Panchattava is just behind Anantapura , the Agache , the house of the esoteric tantrik gods of the Buddhacharya community and the mansion of the earth Vasupura . Houses Vasundhara , the goddess of good fortune, wealth and abundance. Constructed in 1981- 1982, by the Swayambhu construction and preservation committee.   SINGHUBAHI Two storied temple established in 18 th century A.D. Dedicated to god Aksobhaya . Renovated in 1933 and 1943A.D.

22. PULA SHINGHU STUPA Stupa established in 16 th century and renovated in 1893A.D. It is a Bajradhatu chaitya . DHARMACHAKRA BIHAR It is a bahal established in 1984 A.D. Dedicated to god Shakyamuni .    ANANDA KUTI Closed temple at Swayambhu . Established in1949A.D. for god Bhusparsa Shakyamuni .

23. Function of the Stupa The stupa represents Buddha’s mind. To visit a stupa is said to be the same as meeting a Buddha in person. It offers peace, freedom and joy to the whole world and ultimately helps us to obtain perfect enlightenment. Just seeing, hearing about, reflecting upon, or touching a stupa fosters peace and even spiritual release. The stupa pacifies physical and mental difficulties such as sicknesses, famine and conflicts in all areas and directions. Spiritual practices bring stronger results when performed close to stupas than in other powerful places. Visitors and pilgrims walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction and recite mantras, make offerings, turn prayer-wheels and make wishes for the benefit of all beings.

24. Conclusion The hill is the best example of harmony among the Hindu and Buddhist. Although the history of the present form of stupa is not clear, however it can be explained on the basis of some myth, religion and Swayambhu purana . The complex is the combination of shikhara , tiered, and the stupa styles . Its architecture and importance has made it an asset for our country. It will always remain as a symbol of unity and inspiration to all the Nepalese people.

25. Thank You