Kathmandu - Kathesimbhu Stupa

Kathesimbhu means "Kathmandu Swayambhu". Not only is the stupa easily recognized as a smaller version of the one at Swayambhu, it also claims to have been built from stones and earth left over from the latter. Thus a walk around the Kathesimbhu stupa promises the old and lame the same blessings as a pilgrimage to Swayambhunath's hill.

Although the present stupa dates only from the 17th c., the many chaityas with votive stupas and sculptures of gods from the Mahayana pantheon, show the site itself to be considerably older. The figure of Avalokiteshvara is 9th c. The Sigha Bahal recently became a monastery for Theravada monks. A second legend gives a slightly different account of the stupa's origin. It tells of a stupa built in the Indian city of Benares, and of the search for a Buddhist priest to consecrate it. Eventually the celebrated Vakvajra was persuaded to come from Nepal, blessing the stupa with a few drops of water from the river. This simple ceremony failed to satisfy the people, who placed no faith in its efficacy. Vakvajra therefore proposed that they move the stupa, which they attempted but proved unable to do despite enlisting the aid of an elephant. Vakvajra then recited a mantra, whereupon the stupa moved of its own accord, following him back to the Sigha Bahal in Kathmandu.