The Great Stupa of Swayambhunath Photo

Photographer’s Note

A short series of pictures taken around the stupa at Swayambhunath on an early spring holiday to India and Nepal in 2004.

Some information from Wikipedea:

Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal, second only to the great Boudhanath stupa to the east of Kathmandu. Much of Swayambhunath's iconography comes from the Vajrayana tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. However, the complex is also an important site for Buddhists of many schools, and is also revered by Hindus.

According to Swayambhu Purana, the entire valley was once filled with an enormous lake, out of which grew a lotus. The valley came to be known as Swayambhu, meaning "Self-Created." The name comes from and eternal self-existent flame (svyaṃbhu) over which a sūpa was later built.

The Bodhisatva Manjushri had a vision of the lotus at Swayambhu and travelled there to worship it. Seeing that the valley can be good settlement and to make the site more accessible to human pilgrims, Manjushri cut a gorge at Chovar. The water drained out of the lake, leaving the valley in which Kathmandu now lies. The lotus was transformed into a hill and the flower become the Swayambhunath stupa.

Thanks to saikotic for pointing out my mistake that this is a picture of the stupa at Swayambhunath and not Boudhanath. Apologies for any confusion caused.

saxo042, Budapestman, gracious, jlbrthnn, dareco, Muse, ChrisJ, John_F_Kennedy, dorte_s_t, chrisnet, gunbud, carper has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

saxo042 (16576) 2008-06-17 0:44

Hi Stephen,
As always, a very interesting note. You are certainly one of the best notewriters on TE...
The picture is is also very good with all the colours and fascinating architecture.
Greetings from Gothenburg
Gunnar

Budapestman (43292) 2008-06-17 0:46

Hi Stephen,
Great architectural shot with beautiful details. The composition is superb, colours and lights are beautiful too. Excellent image, Have a nice day
George

gracious (20017) 2008-06-17 0:53

Hello Stephen,
Excellent composition of the great Stupa with a great informative and useful notes!
best pov with total sharpness, wonderful colour and superb details in the shot
many thanks for the sharing
cheers
Tony

jlbrthnn (39501) 2008-06-17 1:06

Bonjour Stephen,
C'est presque une fête de village à la française, avec couleurs et drapeaux. J'aime bien tous ces drapeaux de prière et les regards énigmatiques peints sur le bâtiment. C'est une belle image et un document instructif. Félocitations.
Bonne journée
Cordialement
Joël

dareco (17104) 2008-06-17 1:07

A very interesting story to go with this. Impressive architecture! I like all the colorful flags. This really jumps out of the gallery. TFS and have a great day!

Gustaw (21670) 2008-06-17 1:08

Hi, my friend!
I like your very interesting towers. It is very oryginal architecture. Good strong colours. I like your composition. It is nice photo.
Marek

Paolo (40763) 2008-06-17 1:26

Hi Stephen, amazing one, colorful and full of light, with excellent quality, POV and timing too.
thanks, ciao

Muse (31121) 2008-06-17 2:45

Hello Stephen,
Un ciel superbe et de beaux contrastes.
Bon cadrage pour présenter ces monuments.
Très belle lumière et jolies couleurs.
best regards
Denise

ChrisJ (70521) 2008-06-17 4:45

Hi Stephen

A marvellous blue sky, with well managed exposure on the highlights. I remember this place, too. Someone tried to shine my shoes, & charge me for the freshly opened nugget, as well, even though I'd said no. Ended up retreating to a 2nd floor tea shop, overlooking the impressive stupa. Good sharpness & colour. Tfs!

John_F_Kennedy (32340) 2008-06-17 4:59

Very interesting building. Good frame and composition. I like the light and colours. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

dorte_s_t (2285) 2008-06-17 5:59

Hi Stephen .
A very and colourful image with a lot of fine and interesting details in architecture and ornamentation. Your note is very interesting and informative too !
Kindest regards
Dorte.!!

jonathan_hart (22739) 2008-06-17 10:25

excellent light and colours, fine exposure, an interesting well framed subject
regards
jo

Fis2 (46713) 2008-06-17 13:01

Witaj Stephen!
Very interesting object, curious place. I like the colors and frame. Good work.
Regards
Krzysztof

chrisnet (20378) 2008-06-17 14:08

Hello Stephen,
Very nice and interesting architecture, I can see here many beautiful details, very good colors and sharpness.
Regards

gunbud (28295) 2008-06-17 19:47

Hi Stephen,
Brilliant clear crisp colors seen against the vivid blue sky.
The golden especially enjoys the deep blue sky background.
You very skillfully avoided over exposure to the white temple in this intense light. The details, sharpness and compo are first rate.
Regards, Tom

saikotic (114) 2008-06-18 7:19

Great composition and colors... Excellent view of the stupa.... but this is "Swayambunath: and 'not' Boudhanath...

Regards
Saikat

wolf38 (13159) 2008-06-19 9:35

Hello Stephen. Impressively, worth seeing, strong colors. Above all also the golden ornaments are a eyecatcher. Very beautifully. Best regards, Wolfgang.

carper (66132) 2008-06-19 9:37

fantastic photo stephen,
I like the pov the good depth and the marvelous contrast and good colours, very good photojob, well doen, have a nice evening.
gr. jaap