Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers ranging from an altitude of 70 meters above sea level to the highest point of the earth -- Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters. Mountains, hills, valleys and plains dominate the geography of landlocked Nepal, which extends from the Himalayan range in the north to the Indo-Gangetic lowlands in the south. It occupies only 0.1 percent of the territory of the earth.

The temple of Swoyambhunath, the so-called "eyes of peace," lies in the Katmandu valley. Several monuments in the valley have been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, among which Swoyambhunath is one. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is the only World Heritage Site outside the valley in southern Nepal.

The Katmandu valley consists of three main towns of great historic, artistic and cultural interest: Katmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. It is situated 4,423 feet above sea level and has an exotic setting. The valley is surrounded by green, snow-peaked mountains housing a number of museums and art galleries displaying art work of the past and present.

Swoyambhu literally means the "Self-Existent One." Swoyambhunath is believed to have been established more than 2,500 years ago. An inscription dated 460 A.D. states that the construction was carried out by King Manadeva of the Mall dynasty. The history of the Kathmandu Valley is said to have started with the beginning of Swoyambhu.

The stupa is atop a hill, and requires a considerable walk. A road also leads almost to the base of the camp. Swoyambhu is perhaps the best place to observe religious harmony in Nepal. Though it is a Buddhist temple, it is widely visited by both the Buddhists and Hindus of Nepal.

According to Nepali myths, the two eyes of Swoyambhunath represent peace and prosperity. These eyes are said to observe what is right and what is wrong, and a patriotic song also refers to these eyes. Pilgrims from different parts of the country, as well as from countries like India, Thailand, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Mongolia and many others visit this temple and define it as glorious. A number of pilgrims can be seen every day in the temple.

Many pilgrims visit this temple at the time of Buddha Jayanti (birthday of Buddha), which falls on the full moon day in Baishakh (April/May); Gunla, the holy Buddhist month according to the Newari calendar (August/September) early in the morning; Kojagrat Purnima (September/October), and Samaya day of Magh (January/February -- every 12 years).

The largest image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal is in a monastery at the backside of Swoyambhu, and a good view of the valley can be seen from the temple.

But nowadays these eyes are troubled due to the current situation of the country. The eyes are always eager to see the peace that has now become the dream of every Nepali citizen.

During the last 10 years since the founding of Nepal's Communist Party (Maoist), the country has been facing a great problem. I do not know who is totally responsible for the current situation, either the government or the Maoists, but peace has departed from Nepal. More than 10,000 people have already lost their lives in the past ten years. But these eyes are hopelessly watching the situation.

Government policies, as well as the Maoist's, are totally responsible for bringing tears to the eyes that symbolize peace.

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?article_class=5&no=268415&rel_no=1

i hope peace will prevail soon marking the end of monarchy. buddha gave up his royal status for the sake of humanity, why can't gyane give up if he is supposed to be avatar of bishnu why is he acting like rakshas

yeah i hope those solem eyeys of justice makes make this place a wonderful place to live in ,without any bariers of relegion or caste.

More than a political change, what we really need is a social change. Then political change will follow. We have so many divisions created in our society through our religion, tradition, culture and history that we need to get rid of them. We need to feel as one and then w can work towards one goal. If every group has its own goal, and it all goes in different directions to achieve them, imagine the mess that will be created.

hurray,
if social change were possible without democratic political change, then we would have seen them during the 104 years of Rana rule and 30 years of Panchayat (and to add to that in the post Feb 1 Nepal. But no. We need a climate for social change which is not possible without an open, transparent democratic system in place. I am not saying the post-1990 Nepali democracy was a whole lot democratic and participatory, but it was at least better than during the earlier darker days. So my point is we need an inclusive system that does not sustain in feudal chakary like gyane is consolidating now but which allows people voice and in which people and their institutions can also punish the corrupt politicians.
My 2cents.
Lonely1