“Pic of the Week”, September 22, 2017: Tufted Gray Langurs

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It was always a delight to see these wonderful monkeys on my visits to Sri Lanka. Found mostly in dry zone forests and around human habitats, they are especially common in the country’s Cultural Triangle, which includes the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Anuradhapura , but also regions further to the south.

These are gentle creatures found nibbling on leaves and some of the food people leave as offerings at the temple sites.  The are usually seen in small groups.  And they don’t mind having their photos taken.

(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance)

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Swayambunath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

012 Swayambunath Stupa, Kathmandu

Swayambunath Temple, in Kathmandu, Nepal, is one of the most important sites in this ancient city.  It is known as the “Monkey Temple” because of the large number of (mean spirited) monkeys that have all but taken over this complex (and are said to be “holy monkeys”).

Swayambhunath is an ancient complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley.  Most approach it via a long uphill climb of 365 steps (one for each day of the year), past thousands of Buddhist prayer flags that set the atmosphere for the complex ahead.  Each morning before dawn hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims ascend these steps and begin a clockwise walk around the stupa at the center of this ancient site.

Swayambunath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

Swayambunath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

The Swayambhunath complex dates to …

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