Nepal: Kathmandu Valley

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27199] ’Whitewashing Swayambhu stupa.’ Watched over by the all-seeing eyes of Adi-Buddha (primordial Buddha) a boy is whitewashing the central stupa of Swayambhu, at the western outskirts of Kathmandu. The eyes are attached to the gold gilded cube (harmika) that surmounts the stupa. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27205] ’Whitewashing Swayambhu stupa.’ Watched over by the all-seeing eyes of Adi-Buddha (primordial Buddha) a boy is whitewashing the central stupa of Swayambhu, at the western outskirts of Kathmandu. The eyes are attached to the gold gilded cube (harmika) that surmounts the stupa. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27211] ’Decorating Swayambhu stupa.’ Watched over by the all-seeing eyes of Adi-Buddha (primordial Buddha) temple guards are attending to the central stupa of Swayambhu, at the western outskirts of Kathmandu. The eyes are attached to the gold gilded cube (harmika) that surmounts the stupa. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27215] ’Receiving a tika at Swayambhu.’ Surrounded by small shrines, at the foot of Swayambhu stupa, west of Kathmandu, a boy is receiving a tika. This dot on the forehead made with coloured powder, yogurt and rice must confer the blessing and protection of a deity. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27219] ’Burnt-offering at Swayambhu.’ At Swayambhu, west of Kathmandu, a woman is alighting a burnt-offering in front of the gilt-roofed Temple of Harati. This goddess, also known as Ajima, is revered as a protectress against childhood diseases. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27222] ’Pilgrim at Swayambhu.’ Twirling his hand-held prayer wheel, a Buddhist pilgrim takes a rest near the stupa of Swayambhu, west of Kathmandu. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27225] ’Monk at Swayambhu.’ At the foot of Swayambhu stupa, west of Kathmandu, a Buddhist monk is reciting prayers near a burnt-offering. The two gold gilded shrines visible in the background are incorporated into the base of the stupa. The one on the right is dedicated to Akshobhya; facing the east it represents the cosmic element of conscousness. The shrine on the left is dedicated to Vairochana, the master of the temple. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27228] ’Shop at Swayambhu.’ The little boy, son of the shop owner and playing with a bronze duck, is not at all impressed by the fierce looking masks behind him. They are the masks of Bhairava, the Hindu god of annihilation and the march of time. He is thought to preside over cremation grounds, hence the garland of skulls around his head. The matalware and mask shop can be found near the Swayambhu stupa, west of Kathmandu. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27231] ’Buddha at Swayambhu.’ At Swayambhu stupa, west of Kathmandu, worshippers have glued gold-leaves to a statue of Buddha as an offering. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27235] ’Hanuman at Swayambhu stupa.’ Statue of Hanuman on the temple grounds of Swayambhu stupa, at the western outskirts of Kathmandu has received a puja offering of rice and a flower garland. Owing to his ability to ward of evil spirits, the Hindu monkey god Hanuman is one of the most popular gods in Nepal. His statues are often covered in vermilion paste. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27242] ’Prayer flags at Manjushri Hill.’ Near Swayambhu, west of Kathmandu, prayer flags surround the stupas at Manjushri Hill. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27245] ’Prayer flags at Manjushri Hill.’ Near Swayambhu, west of Kathmandu, prayer flags are obscuring the sky over Manjushri Hill. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27253] ’Window of Kumari Chowk in Kathmandu.’ Wood-carved window in the Kumari Chowk, the residence of the city's "living goddess". The house of the Kumari is situated on the south side of Kathmandu's Durbar Square. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27200] ’Whitewashing Swayambhu stupa.’ Watched over by the all-seeing eyes of Adi-Buddha (primordial Buddha) a boy is whitewashing the central stupa of Swayambhu, at the western outskirts of Kathmandu. The eyes are attached to the gold gilded cube (harmika) that surmounts the stupa. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27209] ’Throwing paint at Swayambhu stupa.’ Standing on the summit of Swayambhu stupa, west of Kathmandu, a boy is pouring yellow paint in curved patterns that resemble the petals of a lotus flower. According to the creation myth of the Kathmandu Valley, in ancient times a perfect lotus flower appeared on the lake which filled the Valley. Subsequently the lake was drained by a god and the lotus settled on top of a hill which was to become the location of the Swayambhu stupa. The all-seeing eyes of Adi-Buddha are attached to the gold gilded cube (harmika) that surmounts the stupa. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27214] ’Decorating Swayambhu stupa.’ Watched over by the all-seeing eyes of Adi-Buddha (primordial Buddha) a temple guard is attending to the central stupa of Swayambhu, at the western outskirts of Kathmandu. The eyes are attached to the gold gilded cube (harmika) that surmounts the stupa. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27217] ’Harati Temple at Swayambhu.’ At the foot of Swayambhu stupa, west of Kathmandu, a woman is sweeping the pavement around the gilt-roofed Temple of Harati. This goddess, also known as Ajima, is revered as a protectress against childhood diseases. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27220] ’Pilgrim at Swayambhu.’ Twirling his hand-held prayer wheel, a Buddhist pilgrim makes a circumambulation of the central stupa at Swayambhu, west of Kathmandu. The gold gilded shrine incorporated in the base of the stupa (on the left) is dedicated to one of Buddha's consorts. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27223] ’Monk at Swayambhu.’ At the foot of Swayambhu stupa, west of Kathmandu, a Buddhist monk is reciting prayers. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27227] ’Monk at Swayambhu.’ At the foot of Swayambhu stupa, west of Kathmandu, a Buddhist monk is reciting prayers near a burnt-offering. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27230] ’Buddha at Swayambhu.’ At Swayambhu stupa, west of Kathmandu, worshippers have glued gold-leaves to a statue of Buddha as an offering. Moreover, the statue has received corns of rice during a puja offering. The puja is a personal ritual which may be done before any sacred spot and can consist of an offering of flowers, incense, butter lamps, abhir (coloured powder) and various kinds of food. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27233] ’Hanuman at Swayambhu stupa.’ On the temple grounds of Swayambhu stupa, at the western outskirts of Kathmandu, a monkey is investigating a statue of Hanuman. Owing to his ability to ward of evil spirits, the Hindu monkey god Hanuman is one of the most popular gods in Nepal. His statues are often covered in vermilion paste as a result of puja offerings. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27241] ’Prayer flags at Manjushri Hill.’ Near Swayambhu, west of Kathmandu, prayer flags surround the stupas at Manjushri Hill. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27244] ’Prayer flags at Manjushri Hill.’ Near Swayambhu, west of Kathmandu, prayer flags surround the stupa topped shrines at Manjushri Hill. Photo Paul Smit.

[NEPAL.KATHMANDUVALLEY 27248] ’Kumari Chowk in Kathmandu.’ An inhabitant of Kathmandu has found a quiet spot to read his morning paper among the wood-carved pillars of Kumari Chowk, the residence of the city's "living goddess". The house of the Kumari is situated on the south side of Kathmandu's Durbar Square. Photo Mick Palarczyk.