Welcome to Maratika

The sacred cave of Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava

Tashi Deleg! Maratika cave, in eastern Nepal, is the sacred place where Guru Padmasambhava and princess Mandarava accomplished the state of immortal awareness holder (chimey rigzin).
In the wisdom tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Maratika is counted among the six most holy places of our world.

Introduction and Historical Background
Maratika or ‘Chi ba mthar byed’ in Tibetan means “eliminates from death”, and is known as Halesi or “literally astonishing”. The place is rich in history, mythology and sacred geology despite its great isolation, it is a major holy place for both Buddhists and Hindus. For Tibetan Buddhists in particular, it is the site of immortality, one of the six supreme pilgrimage sites in the world. It is the place where the great master, the second Buddha Padmasambhava and Dakini Mandarava obtained the realization of immortal life. Maratika was also blessed by the family of three protectors Manjushri, Vajrapani and Avalokitesavara. For many years the sacred caves of Maratika have been a very important pilgrimage destination for Buddhist seeking to engage in the long life practices. Due to its historical connection with Padmasambhava the Lotus Born Guru, and the family of the three protectors, it is particularly sacred within the Rime or Non Sectarian movement in Tibetan Buddhism in general and within the Vajrajana vehicle in particular. Read more…