A stupa, literally meaning "heap", is a mound-like or semi-hemispherical structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the ashes of Buddhist monks, used by Buddhists as a place of meditation.
Swayambhunath stupa is located atop of a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, near Kathmandu city, capital of Nepal. It is also called the `Monkey Temple' because of the many hundreds of (sacred) monkeys who scamper about the temple at night after the pilgrims and priests have departed.
The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, there is something painted which looks like the nose - but is the Nepali symbol of 'unity', in the main Nepali language dialect.Stamp
The stamps is a joint issue (2013) of Israel and Nepal featuring Mt. Everest and the Dead Sea, two contrasting geographic wonders — the highest and the lowest places on earth.
I love Nepal! I just got back from there! I also visited Swayambuh. You first have to acces about a million stairs until you get there! You have a loveley view over the whole Kathmandu Valley and there are really lots of monkeys! BTW there is not only the stupa, but also lots of little hinuistic temples right aside! I think it is so great that these two religions are coexisting so peacefully (not just in swayambuh, but all over Nepal!)
ReplyDeleteGreat card :)