Maratika cave is where Guru Rinpoche got Buddha Amitayus's teachings of immortality.
In the life of Guru Rinpoche ( Padmasambhava ) India was his training ground, Nepal was his place of retreat, and Tibet was his place of activity.
Visit the pilgrimage sites of Guru Rinpoche in Nepal.
The meditation caves and sacred sites of Nepal visited by Guru Rinpoche make a significant pilgrimage following the footsteps of Padmashambhava, the precious master of Uddiyana.
Guru Rinpoche pilgrimage tour of Nepal visits caves where he got levels of enlightenment, and sites he visited during his journey.
Boudhanath and previous life of Guru Rinpoche
The pilgrimage tour starts from the Boudhanath Stupa where Guru Rinpoche as one of the sons of a poultry woman Jadzima made the proclamation about his birth as the lotus born Buddha, Padmashambhava.
The poultry-keeper’s boy made a powerful aspiration in front of a stupa that fulfills all wishes, and as a result, he was destined to be reborn as Guru Padmasambhava. According to his aspiration, Guru Rinpoche was born within a blossoming lotus and began his enlightened activity in our world.
He first came to Nepal to practice at Lhundrup Tsek, the ‘Spontaneous Mound’ charnel ground, which includes the modern-day pilgrimage sites of Boudhanath and Pashupatinath.
Guru Rinpoche visits Maratika and Yanglesho
Many years later, he returned with Mandarava, the princess of Zahor, and they both attained immortality at the caves at Maratika. Later, Guru Rinpoche came to the self-arisen stupa of Swyambhunath, where he took the Newar princess Shakyadevi as his consort. He then took her with him to the caves of Yangleshö in Pharping, where they reached attainment through the practice of Vajrakilaya combined with Yangdak Heruka.
Guru Rinpoche continued his journey to
Chumig Changchub, where he overpowered the local spirits and bound them under oath as protectors of the Dharma.
The Self-arisen Avalokitesharas of Kathmandu and Patan
Subsequently, while en route to Tibet at the request of King Trisong Deutsen, Guru Rinpoche journeyed through Nepal. During his travels, he paid visit to three of the five Self-Arisen Avalokiteshvara Brothers at Jana Bahal of Kathmandu and E vihara of Patan, availing his own blessings for future devotees.In Nepal, Guru Rinpoche went on extensive retreat, gave countless teachings to disciples, hid terma treasures, and blessed the hills and valleys.
US 550 + Includes | Excludes
INCLUDES :
- Private transportation for the entire journey.
- All accommodation with breakfast and taxes included.
- Guided pilgrimage tour with all entrance fees included.
EXCLUDES :
- Delay and cancellation because of naturl phenomenon.
- Any type of insurances. Rescue and evacuation will be done on your account.
- Bottled drinks and beverages.
- Lunch and dinner
: Spiritual Tour
: 7 days
: Easy
: All year around
Best time is from Mid September - June but the tour could be done throughout a year.
: Standard, Deluxe & Luxury
: Private car
Guru Rinpoche Pilgrimage Tour Itinerary
1 Day : Arrive Kathmandu
Our representative will pick you up from Kathmandu airport and together drive to the hotel. If time permits, visit the nearby Buddhist site or familiarization walk.
2 Day : Chorten Namsum kora
A visit to the three stupas of Kathmandu valley make the popular 'Chorten Namsum Kora' among the Himalayan Buddhists. Swayambhunath, Boudhanaht and Namobuddha Stupa make the Chorten Namsum Kora. Pilgrims from Tibet and other parts of the Himalayas make the pilgrimage of all of the three stupas within a day. Historical records mention Guru Rinpoche's visit to Swyambunath and Boudhaath. The Namobuddha Stupa is much older and was even visited by Shakyamuni Buddha. The Stupa is built over the relic of Prince Mahasattva (a previous life of Buddha), who offered his own flesh to hungry Tigress and her cubs out of great compassion.
3 - 4 Day : Maraika Cave
Maratika cave is in the middle hilly region, 218 km east of Kathmandu This is where Guru Rinpoche ( Padmashambhava ) and his wisdom consort, Mandarava, achieved immortality through the blessings of Amitayus, the Buddha of long life. A road trip takes about 7 hours. There are decent resorts for a night stay.
5 Day : Yanglesho and Asura Cave and Patan Tour
The Yenglesho and Asura caves are in a Pharping village in the south of Kathmandu. This is where Guru Rinpoche accomplished the practice of Yangdak, the essence of Great Bliss with princess Shakyadevi . He liberated all obstacles by means of Vajrakilaya and attained the siddhi of Mahamudra. There is also Kyapjé Chatral Rinpoche's reliquary stupa in his residence and his monastery next to Yenglesho has black stupa with relics of Terton Jikme Lingpa and first Karmapa.
We will also visit the monastic town of Patan. Guru Rinpoche paid a visit to two of the five self arisian Avalokiteshvara Brothers on his way to Tibet. Patan has about 150 medieval monasteries. Some of them date back to the 6th century making it the oldest existing Buddhist city in the world.
6 Day : Visit Chumig Changchub
Chumik Changchup, Spring of Awakening is in the Rikheshwor Jungle, near the village of Daman, 90 km southwest of Kathmandu. He came to this site on his journey to Tibet. He binded dakinis and guardians, who keep their pledges, and attained the siddhi of beholding the yidam face to face. Here, known as Kyechok Tsulzang, Eminent Noble Being, he left an outpouring of power and blessings that remain available for everyone to this day.
7 Day : Drive to the airport for final departure.
Our representative will come with a car to drop you to the international terminal as per your flight timing.
Helambu is the closest Beyul from Kathmandu with wealth of monasteries, caves, and naturally arisen remnants of the Precious Master, Padmasambhava.
Beyul's of Guru Rinpoche in Nepal
Beyuls, the concealed valleys in the Himalayas, have been sanctified by Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) as places of refuge. These hidden sanctuaries are ideal for deep reflection and enlightenment. Guru Rinpoche established these locations to provide a secure environment for those devoted to the Dharma during turbulent periods. Beyuls serve as a meeting point between the material and spiritual realms, enhancing the efficacy of Tantric rituals through diverse perspectives and realms.
Beyul's in Nepal are Helambu, Langtang, Nupri valley ( Manaslu ) and Everest region.Helambu is the nearest Beyul from Kathmandu which could be accessed by vehicle or a short trek.
Guru Ripoche's pilgrimage of Bhutan
Paro Taktshang also known as Tiger's nest is where Guru Rinpoche spent four months and concealed many Dharma treasures.
Guru Rinpoche's ( Padmasambhava ) pilgrimage tour of Bhutan is about a five days Bhutan tour visiting Paro and Bumthang. The Taktsang monastery in Paro and Kurje Lhakhang in Bumthang are the two major pilgrimage sites of Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan.
Paro Taktshang holds a unique significance as a sacred pilgrimage site in the Himalayas, where Guru Rinpoche resided for four months, concealed numerous dharma teachings and treasures, and bestowed his blessings upon the area.
Guru Padmasambava was invited by King Sindhu Raja to Kurje Temple in Bumthang, where he first arrived. He subdued evil spirits that had made the king's family sick. The temple is constructed against a rock cave and consists of three main temples. The oldest temple was built in 1652 at the site where the Guru meditated, the second temple contains his body imprints, and the third temple was added in the 1990s.
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