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. 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,
A) Finial
B) Dome
C) 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 (gold
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
fragment of Lichchavi chaityas is rearranged with new finials and placed on a secondary
plinth. It is in the 18th century when about 25 chaityas were built in the form of shikara
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 17th 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 18th century A.D.
• Dedicated to god Aksobhaya.
• Renovated in 1933 and 1943A.D.

22. PULA SHINGHU STUPA
• Stupa established in 16th 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.