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Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
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| [Ligne directrice - Note] Note du photographe |
| A golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles and from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century AD. Its origins however, date to a much earlier time, long before the arrival of Buddhism into the valley. A collection of legends about the site, the 15th century Swayambhu Purana, tells of a miraculous lotus, planted by a past Buddha, which blossomed from the lake that once covered Kathmandu valley. The lotus mysteriously radiated a brilliant light, and the name of the place came to be Swayambhu, meaning 'Self-Created or Self-Existent'. Saints, sages and divinities traveled to the lake to venerate this miraculous light for its power in granting enlightenment. During this time, the Bodhisatva Manjushri was meditating at the sacred mountain of Wu Tai Shan and had a vision of the dazzling Swayambhu light. Manjushri flew across the mountains of China and Tibet upon his blue lion to worship the lotus. Deeply impressed by the power of the radiant light, Manjushri felt that if the water were drained out of the lake Swayambhu would become more easily accessible to human pilgrims. With a great sword Manjushri cut a gorge in the mountains surrounding the lake. The water, draining away, left the valley of present day Kathmandu. The lotus was then transformed into a hill and the light became the Swayabhunath Stupa. |
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This is a fine presentation of Swayambhunath, Jerzy. You must have had a wide lens, because I never ever manages to get the whole width into a single shot. This one is fine. I like the general darkness at the edges with the focus of lightness on the stupa itself, which makes it an informative and dramatic shot. A very symmetrical composition works well too, for this architectural study.The downloaded note is informative, but I have to say I don't like these downloads from Wiki, or wherever; I much the personal observations of the photographer, himself. The English here is heavy and pompous, such a guide books and not regular people use, and tend to lack the immediacy of a personal note. However. this is the best general shot of (The Monkey temple) that I have seen in a while. Thanks a lot. Regards Kevin
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