There is a small Newari community located 19 kilometers to the south of Kathmandu. Tibetans refer to Pharping as Yangleshö and Phamting. It is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimages for Vajrayana Buddhists and was also Phamtingpa, Naropa's heart-son’s hometown.
The Yang-le-Shod and the Asura Caves are both associated with Guru Rinpoche and serve as meditation practice locations. He attained a high level of enlightenment in his spiritual life through the practice of meditation in these caves. In addition, the sacred Vajra Yogini shrine can be found in this area.
Yang–le–shod: If you are traveling to Pharping, you will go by a temple called Sesh Narayan Than, which is also known as Yang-le-shod. This temple is tucked away behind a rocky cliff wall and is adjacent to a Tibetan monastery. It was in this location that Guru Rinpoche, a monk born from a lotus flower, overcame gods, ghosts, and demons on his path to attaining Mahamudra. The well-known Vishnu shrine that is revered by Hindus can also be found in this area. A small cave located close to a temple is the location where Rinpoche attained the power of Mahamudra and vanquished the "demon." On the cave's walls and ceiling, there are a number of impressions that look like the Guru's head. In addition, there is a humble gompa that was built in Guru Rinpoche's honor after he passed away.
Asura Cave: Asura Cave is yet another great meditation cave, and it can be found in close proximity to the great white monastery. It is hidden in the hills above Pharping. Through the practice of Yangdak Heruka and Dorje Phurba, Guru Rinpoche was able to overcome obstacles on the spiritual path and eventually achieve enlightenment. The handprint that is located close to the cave entrance can be seen on the top left of the cave's entrance. Many people believe that it is an imprint of Guru Rinpoche, while others think that it is an avatar of Gorakhnath, an Indian yogin. However, some people believe that it is an avatar of Situ Rinpoche.
Both of these caves are connected on a spiritual level and hold a tremendous amount of importance for Vajrayana practitioners. To get inside, you have to take off your shoes and bend over to reach the low-ceilinged cavern that is illuminated by butter lights and decorated with silk scarves that have been wrapped around small statues. According to many people, including holiness Dujom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, believe that these caves hold the same level of significance for Vajrayana Buddhists as Bodhgaya in India does. Not only are they the birthplace of their traditions, but they are also their spiritual heart.
The Temple of the Vajra Yogini: This temple was constructed in the Newari style during the 17th century and is dedicated to the Vajra Yogini. In her mythology, she is depicted as an inquisitive monk who is a counterpart to Buddha in Buddhist mythology. She is revered as the embodiment of unadulterated awareness, which is why she is also known as the Blue Trinity or the Indra Yogini. To get to the temple, descend a set of stairs into the Guru Rinpoche Cave.
How can I get to the Pharping?
Taxi: Pre-paid cab is the quickest way to travel from Kathmandu to Pharping; the driving distance is about 18 kilometers. Driving costs between 800 to 1000 and takes 30 minutes.
Local Bus: Driving, which costs between Rs. 30 and Rs. 50 and takes 60 minutes, is the most affordable way to go from Kathmandu to Pharping Or check out the more Transportation guide in Kathmandu.
In Conclusion
This is a great place to start for those who have never heard of the town before. In this post, we discussed the history of Pharping and the importance of the town in Buddhism. We hope that you found this article to be interesting and informative, and we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to us anytime. Thank you for reading!
