Nepal is a land of several Buddhist monasteries, places. The Buddhist population is dominant after Hinduism. Thousands of people who seek for the pilgrimage and to explore some of the best sacred meditation caves and monasteries of Buddhist in Nepal here are some of them.
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath Stupa is one of the biggest stupas in the world. The surroundings of the Stupa are so elegant with beautiful and abundant prayer flags. The common myth of the establishment of the story is Jhyajima (a woman who keeps hens) and her sons. Boudhanath Stupa is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage destination for all over the world of Buddhist people and it falls under the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also known as the wish granting place and Buddhist devotees pay homage to this site.
Photo by: Bishal Rai
Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath Stupa is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site in Kathmandu and it is surrounded by hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu shrines and temples. The name Swayambhu means self-existent one. Thus, It is a self-sprung monument, which is located at the hilltop. Buddhist devotees pay homage to this site and it is a UNESCO world heritage site. The stupa complex includes chaityas, statues, prayer wheels, and deities. The stupa is also known as the Monkey Temple.
Photo credit: Nepal Tourism Board
Chumik Jhangchup
Chumik Jhangchup literally means spring of awakening. It is a famous Vajrayana Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The destination is also known as the spring of enlightenment. He displayed himself as Kyechok Tsulzan, which is a powerful dominance over the evil spirits and a good protection of Dharma.
Yarinak Cave
Yarinak Cave is the Guru Rinpoche pilgrimage cave in Temal, Kavre district. Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is worshipped for the heroic deeds that he removed the enemies of Dharma and protected the land. He meditated in the Vajra Mudra.
Halesi Maratika Cave
The Halesi Maratika Cave is a cave and temple complex in the Khotang district of eastern Nepal. It is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, Buddhists, and Kirats. It is about 185 km southwest of Mount Everest and Situated at an elevation of 3,100 – 4,734 feet above sea level. Buddhists named it Maratika cave or Maratika Monastery. It is located 67 feet below the surface. The site has several natural caves and hillocks.
Photo by: Bishal Rai
Namobuddha Monastery
Namobuddha monastery is a beautiful and sacred place that provides a unique insight into the spiritual and cultural heritage of Nepal. Namo Buddha is named after the self-sacrifice by an early incarnation of Shakyamuni Buddha, performed to save the lives of a tigress and her cubs. The Namo Buddha Stupa houses his bone relics and is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites.
Photo credit: Nepal Tourism Board
Lumbini, Birthplace of Lord Buddha
Lumbini is the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha. For Buddhist devotees, it is a spiritual center that Buddhism started from this holy place. Lord Buddha was born into a royal family, who left the family after 29 years in search of answers to some questions and got enlightenment. There are sacred Puskarini Pond, Square, Ashoka Pillar, Palace, old poplar tree, and many more evidences and it falls under the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
The Birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini, Lumbini province, Nepal. Photo credit: Nepal Tourism Board.
Ranchung Chungsi Cave
Ranchung Chungsi Cave is a sacred Guru Rinpoche meditation cave during his journey in Upper Mustang. He was chasing a demon from Tibet and slayed her near this place. Guru Rinpoche-Padmasambhava followers find this place as an alienable destination as a part of pilgrimage in Nepal.
Lo Gekar Monastery (Ghar Gompa)
Lo Gekar Monastery, aka Ghar Gompa is the oldest monastery in the world. It was built in the 8th century after the arrival of Guru Rinpoche-Padmasambhava. It is believed that the monastery is built over the body of the lady demon, who caused the trouble to build the Samye Monastery of Tibet.
Luri Gompa
Luri Gompa is the best attraction of the Upper Mustang of Nepal. For Buddhist devotees and researchers, Luri Gompa is a primary destination as it holds the history of Tibetan Buddhism. The caves are decorated with murals, depicting the life of Buddha, and his teachings. The surroundings of this cave are surrounded by the wonders of the fluttering Tibetan Buddhist mantra-scripted prayer flags, caves, and chhortens.
Chodzong Cave
The Chodzong Cave is a hidden cave in the Upper Mustang.
Chöd is a spiritual practice found primarily in the Yundrung Bön tradition as well as in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The practice follows a prompt and effective Tantric way to the path of realization, awakening, and enlightenment.
Choser Sky Jhong Cave and Valley
Mustang Valley is full of nomadic caves. Choser Sky Jhong Cave is one of the ancient caves in this region. It is a multi-storied cave that links the myth of the mid-century. There are several rooms, where visitors see proof of human beings living inside the cave of history.
Milarepa Cave Manang
Manang Milarepa Cave is an exciting and significant pilgrimage destination for the Buddhist tour. Maha Siddhi Guru Milarepa, a singer, and a poet meditated in the cave, which has a rich link with the life story of Saint Milarepa.
Milarepa Cave Sankhu
Milarepa Cave Sankhu is located inside the Kathmandu Valley. The cave is also associated with Saint Milarepa. Nearby the cave, there is a famous pilgrimage site namely Vajrayogini Temple, Saali Nadi, and the surroundings.
Besides these, there are also Buddhist popular places and they are Asura and Yanglesho Cave with Manjushree Gorge, Tsangkhala (Tsangkha Layi Lathok) and so on.
Nepal is a land of several Buddhist monasteries, places. The Buddhist population is dominant after Hinduism. Thousands of people who seek for the pilgrimage and to explore some of the best sacred meditation caves and monasteries of Buddhist in Nepal here are some of them.
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath Stupa is one of the biggest stupas in the world. The surroundings of the Stupa are so elegant with beautiful and abundant prayer flags. The common myth of the establishment of the story is Jhyajima (a woman who keeps hens) and her sons. Boudhanath Stupa is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage destination for all over the world of Buddhist people and it falls under the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also known as the wish granting place and Buddhist devotees pay homage to this site.
Photo by: Bishal Rai
Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath Stupa is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site in Kathmandu and it is surrounded by hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu shrines and temples. The name Swayambhu means self-existent one. Thus, It is a self-sprung monument, which is located at the hilltop. Buddhist devotees pay homage to this site and it is a UNESCO world heritage site. The stupa complex includes chaityas, statues, prayer wheels, and deities. The stupa is also known as the Monkey Temple.
Photo credit: Nepal Tourism Board
Chumik Jhangchup
Chumik Jhangchup literally means spring of awakening. It is a famous Vajrayana Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The destination is also known as the spring of enlightenment. He displayed himself as Kyechok Tsulzan, which is a powerful dominance over the evil spirits and a good protection of Dharma.
Yarinak Cave
Yarinak Cave is the Guru Rinpoche pilgrimage cave in Temal, Kavre district. Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is worshipped for the heroic deeds that he removed the enemies of Dharma and protected the land. He meditated in the Vajra Mudra.
Halesi Maratika Cave
The Halesi Maratika Cave is a cave and temple complex in the Khotang district of eastern Nepal. It is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, Buddhists, and Kirats. It is about 185 km southwest of Mount Everest and Situated at an elevation of 3,100 – 4,734 feet above sea level. Buddhists named it Maratika cave or Maratika Monastery. It is located 67 feet below the surface. The site has several natural caves and hillocks.
Photo by: Bishal Rai
Namobuddha Monastery
Namobuddha monastery is a beautiful and sacred place that provides a unique insight into the spiritual and cultural heritage of Nepal. Namo Buddha is named after the self-sacrifice by an early incarnation of Shakyamuni Buddha, performed to save the lives of a tigress and her cubs. The Namo Buddha Stupa houses his bone relics and is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites.
Photo credit: Nepal Tourism Board
Lumbini, Birthplace of Lord Buddha
Lumbini is the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha. For Buddhist devotees, it is a spiritual center that Buddhism started from this holy place. Lord Buddha was born into a royal family, who left the family after 29 years in search of answers to some questions and got enlightenment. There are sacred Puskarini Pond, Square, Ashoka Pillar, Palace, old poplar tree, and many more evidences and it falls under the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
The Birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini, Lumbini province, Nepal. Photo credit: Nepal Tourism Board.
Ranchung Chungsi Cave
Ranchung Chungsi Cave is a sacred Guru Rinpoche meditation cave during his journey in Upper Mustang. He was chasing a demon from Tibet and slayed her near this place. Guru Rinpoche-Padmasambhava followers find this place as an alienable destination as a part of pilgrimage in Nepal.
Lo Gekar Monastery (Ghar Gompa)
Lo Gekar Monastery, aka Ghar Gompa is the oldest monastery in the world. It was built in the 8th century after the arrival of Guru Rinpoche-Padmasambhava. It is believed that the monastery is built over the body of the lady demon, who caused the trouble to build the Samye Monastery of Tibet.
Luri Gompa
Luri Gompa is the best attraction of the Upper Mustang of Nepal. For Buddhist devotees and researchers, Luri Gompa is a primary destination as it holds the history of Tibetan Buddhism. The caves are decorated with murals, depicting the life of Buddha, and his teachings. The surroundings of this cave are surrounded by the wonders of the fluttering Tibetan Buddhist mantra-scripted prayer flags, caves, and chhortens.
Chodzong Cave
The Chodzong Cave is a hidden cave in the Upper Mustang.
Chöd is a spiritual practice found primarily in the Yundrung Bön tradition as well as in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The practice follows a prompt and effective Tantric way to the path of realization, awakening, and enlightenment.
Choser Sky Jhong Cave and Valley
Mustang Valley is full of nomadic caves. Choser Sky Jhong Cave is one of the ancient caves in this region. It is a multi-storied cave that links the myth of the mid-century. There are several rooms, where visitors see proof of human beings living inside the cave of history.
Milarepa Cave Manang
Manang Milarepa Cave is an exciting and significant pilgrimage destination for the Buddhist tour. Maha Siddhi Guru Milarepa, a singer, and a poet meditated in the cave, which has a rich link with the life story of Saint Milarepa.
Milarepa Cave Sankhu
Milarepa Cave Sankhu is located inside the Kathmandu Valley. The cave is also associated with Saint Milarepa. Nearby the cave, there is a famous pilgrimage site namely Vajrayogini Temple, Saali Nadi, and the surroundings.
Besides these, there are also Buddhist popular places and they are Asura and Yanglesho Cave with Manjushree Gorge, Tsangkhala (Tsangkha Layi Lathok) and so on.