Visit to Swayambhunath

Visit to Swayambhunath

by Shila Shrestha 

Every year, we make it a point to visit all the seven world heritage sites of Kathmandu. Selected by UNESCO, these are special places to be in. We also watch the 3D and video combination “Seven Wonders of Kathmandu,” written and directed by Pallav sir for Spiny Babbler and UNESCO as a musical.

We have already been to Bhaktapur and Pashupati a bunch of time. Swayambhu is one place that we have not often visited due to the location being far. 

On the 9th of February, all of the students from our school went to Swayambhunath including myself. As the road to Swayambhu is long we had to have our lunch before heading out.

Whenever we go outdoors we always have to bring along our respective song books. We sing songs that really pump up our spirits and make the ride even more enjoyable. There are about 55 songs inside our songbook . 

After singing out lungs out throughout the ride, we finally reached our destination. Our van dropped us, but Bisesh, Vidheha, Bhagwati ma’am and Pallav sir had to attend the party. Pallav sir bought one packet of kapsey cookies for all of us. We had already tasted the cookies before, during our first visit here. Sabita didi also bought some packets of kapsey cookies for us, to munch on, on our way back to the school.

We saw a big pond that was next to a beautifully sculpted stupa that really caught my eye. We saw a lot of prayer wheels, that were already spinning around. Watching the prayer wheels spin was a very satisfying feeling so we decided to spin the prayer wheels too.

Even if the stairs were very long it definitely didn’t tire our legs. After a long hike up the stairs, we reached the temple that was situated on the top of the hill. We stopped for a group photo, as moments like this are to be captured. After a small photo session up the hill, we looked at the beautiful view that could be visible right outside the temple.

As we descended the long stairs, we noticed a crowd of people gathered around a well-like structure where the people threw coins into it. People have a belief set that when a person  throws in the coin inside the pot, wishes come true.There were so many coins inside the pot and water. Again we went up and up the long stairs. We were tired but also were very excited to reach our destination place, Swayambhunath.  

Savina ma'am and I took pictures by capturing the beautiness of that place with the children. Sabita didi took care of little children. We took a photo with Swayambhunath. We visited and rang the bell. Few people went to the top of swayambhunath to hang up prayer flags.

We got to see a lot of new things.There were  lots of bracelets, necklaces and other beautiful pieces of accessories that were on sale. We got to see a painting that really looked different and unique called the Thangka painting.    

After walking through the street vendors, we came upon a temple that was golden in color. As  I was filming the golden temple, I saw two monkeys feasting on Guavas and Bananas. In front of the temple there was a small hole where people put rice, chiura, color, flowers and tika.

I also got to film some cute moments of the monkeys, after feasting on a ton of fruits they decided to open up a packet of cookies and drank water together. I had figured out the paths due to my numerous visits to this beautiful place. All of us started climbing trees and playing around so it  tired us and made us hungry.

I still remember, long time ago we sat down at the same place and we had some delicious puri tarkari. As we were eating, we saw a monkey entered the shop, that really scared us and led us to finishing our food super quick.

After having puri tarkari we continued the Kora, as we approached Ringroad Savina ma’am took some pictures of us standing in front of the three avatars of gods and goddesses .

As soon as we arrived the main road, Savina ma’am called Pallav sir and in a fraction of minute we saw the van. All of us safely crossed the road and got to our van. After such an enjoyable and a fun energetic trip half of the kids slept while some still had the energy to sing as we were on our way back to school.

Outdoors are always fun. From Spiny Babbler all of the kids love to go outdoors and learn so many different things.