Top 4 Buddhist Pilgrimages In Kathmandu

By Author: iTourNepal
Total Articles: 25
Comment this article

The Kathmandu valley, nestled within mountains, has been a hub of Buddhism since ancient times. Situated between Tibet and India, it served as a crucial trading route. Due to its strategic location and cultural tolerance, Kathmandu valley emerged as a significant Buddhist center from the 9th to the 18th century. While neighboring regions faced political turmoil, Buddhism thrived in the valley, making it a living Buddhist heritage.

Here are the top four Buddhist pilgrimages in Kathmandu.

The three stupas of Kathmandu

One of the most revered journeys for Buddhists is visiting the three stupas of Kathmandu valley - Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Namobuddha. Swayambhunath Mahachaitya, perched on a hill 100 meters above the valley, dates back to the 5th century. Legend has it that enlightened entity was present at the spot on a lotus when Kathmandu valley was a lake. Majushree drained the water by cutting a gorge south of Kathmandu and built the Swayambhunath stupa.
The second prominent stupa in Kathmandu valley ...
... is Boudhanath Stupa, located to the east of Kathmandu. Standing at 100 meters in diameter and 36 meters in height, it is the largest stupa in Asia. Initially constructed in the 7th century along the trans-Himalayan trade route, it houses relics of Kasyapa Muni Buddha. The area surrounding Boudhanath stupa, with its 60 monasteries and Tibetan pilgrims, is now referred to as the 'Little Tibet of Kathmandu'.
Located approximately 40 km southeast of Kathmandu, the Namo Buddha stupa rests on a lush mountain. It is believed that this stupa was constructed using relics from a prince who displayed immense compassion by sacrificing his life to feed a hungry tigress and her cubs. Interestingly, this prince was none other than Shakya Muni Buddha in one of his previous lives before being born in Lumbini.

At the site of this remarkable incident, there is a stone tablet that depicts the prince offering his flesh to the tigress and her cubs. This tablet is situated alongside the newly established Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery and the Namo Buddha stupa, forming a half an hour pilgrimage walk.
Pharping caves of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche)
Moving on to the caves of Pharping, they hold great significance as it was here that the Indian master Padmashambhava achieved the siddhi of Mahamudra. Pharping, located about 35 km south of downtown Kathmandu, is considered as important as Boudhagaya for Vajrayani Buddhists.

This particular site is highly revered among all the places associated with Guru Rinpoché's activities. Within the present-day village of Pharping, Guru Rinpoché engaged in retreat within two caves. During the winter season, he meditated in the upper Asura Cave, which received ample sunlight. In contrast, during the scorching summer months, he sought seclusion in the lower Yangleshö cave. It was in the Asura Cave that he attained the highest realization of Mahamudra, the Great Seal, by integrating the practices of Yangdak Heruka and Vajrakilaya.

Sankhu Vajrayogini and Milarepa cave

Shanku, located in the northeast of Kathmandu valley, is an ancient Newari settlement situated along the trade route to Tibet. The renowned temple of Vajrayogini is situated on the Manichunda hill above Sankhu village. Historical records indicate that the idol of Vajrayogini was originally part of the 7th-century Gum Bihara monastery. Despite the destruction of the monastery, the temple was reconstructed in the 16th century by King Pratap Mall of Kathmandu. The main temple houses a representation of Ugra Tara, also known as Ekajati, depicted holding a sword, known as Khadga Yogini. The upper temple also features an identical image of Ugra Tara.

The site was visited by many important Siddhas, including the Tibetan Buddhist Master Milarepa, whose cave and significant Buddhist statues can still be found on the premises.

Monastic tour of Kathmandu and Patan

With more than 300 medieval monasteries, Kathmandu valley was once a major Buddhist pilgrimage site and center for learning. In the quiet backstreets of the bustling markets of the old towns, visitors can still explore peaceful monasteries dating back to the 8th to 16th centuries.
Exploring the old towns of Patan and Kathmandu reveals enchanting temples dedicated to Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig), Tara (Dolma), and Vajrayogini.
The Golden Temple of Patan continues to recite the 900-year-old 'Pragya Paramita' every morning. This is one among the four Buddhist monasteries which have ancient books.

The other monastery is Bhagwan Bahal which allows outsiders to have a glimpse of their 1,000 years old ‘Pragya Paramita’ written on banana leaf in gold letters.