NEPAL: A UTTLE-KXOWX KINGDOM 



273 



the; final test oe pious pilgrim s endurance at swayambunath 



In Xepal the pilgrimage still is as dominant as in the days of the Crusades. The last 

 stage of the worshiper's journey usually consists of steps, and the revered Swayamhunath, 

 atop a wooded hill, is reached by a flight of 500 steps. 



