Monkey temple!

So, yesterday I took a long walk westward through Kathmandu, and climbed up a steep hill to reach Swayambunath Monkey Temple. The monkeys are super-tame, and one of the babies was chewing on my fingers, and playing with my hand. His mother found me an unfit playmate for her son, and made her displeasure quite clear.

You can see all over Kathmandu from atop the hill, but the temple and Stupa up top are far more interesting. Because it's summer, and monsoon season, I still haven't seen the Himalayas - hopefully I'll be able to see them when I'm halfway up a mountain...

Here are some pictures of the monkeys and the temple (but mostly the monkeys):

I have looked on the face of a God

and it was a small child?

Those two old men on either side are the ones who shout at you for trying to take pictures of the goddess. 

The goddess lives with her family in a special palace in the centre of Kathmandu, and makes only momentary appearances at the centre of the three windows above. The current Kumari looks to be around 5 or 6 years old, and she acted like it, jumping to the window and swinging against the bars. 

Click on the link above to check out more information of the Kumari Devi.