Explore Namo Buddha: A Sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage Site in Nepal dddddd

Namo Buddha is an important pilgrimage site. It inspires visitors to embrace fraternity, peace, and non-violence. Visitors can pay tribute to Buddha through traditional rituals and practice yoga and meditation. The site is a confluence of spirituality, nature, and culture. It is a good place for a family visit.

There stands a thousand years old white chaitya. Surrounding it are other stupas and the mani or the prayer wheels. Prayer flags lungdar and dharjyu bearing Buddhist mantras flutter in the rhythm of the wind. 24 Devotees are seen lighting the oil lamps.

After reaching this pious land, one feels ultimately at peace. This ancient stupa lies at Ward number 11 of Namo Buddha municipality. It is significant in Buddhism as it is related to the rebirth of Buddha. Thousands of pilgrims visit this shrine every year.

Apart from Nepal, devotees from India, Bhutan, and Tibet also visit this shrine, which is also an attraction for many tourists from Western countries.

Tibetans highly regard three stupas: Shyambhunath, Bauddhanath, and Namo Buddha. They believe that offering prayers in these three chaityas on the same day brings good luck.

Fairs are held here on Kartik Purnima and Buddha Purnima. It is believed that Prince Mahasattva of Panchal donated life to a tigress on Kartik Purnima. People believe that their dead ancestors will receive salvation if they offer prayers in their names on that day. Adjacent to the ancient chaitya is a monastery called Kudung Tashi Choling. Up the hill, there are more chaityas and stupas. On the hill lies the baghini gufa, or the tigress cave. A statue represents the Prince Mahasattva of Panchal donating his body to a tigress.

Ghyang guthi oversees the management of this ancient chaitya. A local priest from the Newar community conducts daily rituals in this shrine.

The stupas on the hill were constructed only a few years ago under Thangu Rimpoche's leadership. Mangaldeep School is located in the stupa premises. It is primarily meant for Buddhist education. The monastery has also run a higher education campus since 1991. It offers aacharya, or the Master's degree in Buddhist Studies, after seven years of boarding education. Education is free for all students. 

Namo Buddha (1600 meters) is a confluence of spirituality, nature, and culture. It is a heaven on earth. One can see the caravan of mountains Makalu, Choyu, Gaurishankar, Dorjelakpa, Langtang, Ganesh, and Manaslu. And, of course, the green hills and beautiful settlements around it, including Panauti, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel, and Kathmandu. Views of sunrise and sunset are additional attractions.

Namo Buddha inspires the visitors towards fraternity, peace, and non-violence. If we could follow the teachings of Buddha and the panchashila or the five moral precepts, we would have made our society a peaceful place to live.

In the Namo Budhha area, tourists can find restaurants, hotels, and resorts. The monastery also runs a guest house. Visitors can pay to stay in the guest house and eat vegetarian meals.

Hiking Paradise

The Namo Budhha area is a hiking paradise. From here, one can enjoy the hike through the green valley of Balthali to Khopasi. Balthali (1700 meters) is famous for various agricultural activities, mountain views, and enticing views of sunrise and sunset.

If the sky is clear, this village offers a beautiful view of the caravans of mountains Ganesh, Langtang, Dorjelakpa, Gaurishankar, Rolwaling, and Sagarmatha from the north to the east. Balthali is also a sacred place. It houses the temple of Lankeshwor Mahadev. A

108-foot-long Trishul on the temple premises adds to its attraction. There is a cave with a Shiva linga and a jalahari, or the hung water pot from which water constantly drips onto the head of the image of Lord Shiva. A fair is held in this area on Haribodhani Ekadashi, usually in October-November.

Similarly, the hikers can observe the third Power House of Nepal in Khopasi, which was constructed in 1971.

The hike route is approximately 14 kilometers. Balthali is connected with the road.

The hiking route is accessible throughout the year.

How to reach?

A blacktopped road connects Namo Buddha. It is around 40 kilometers from Kathmandu via Dhulikhel and Kavre bhanjyang. There is also a blacktopped road from Panauti connecting Namo Buddha. One can find public vehicles to Namo Budhha from Banepa bus park.

Namo Buddha is a sacred pilgrimage. It is believed that those who worship Namo Buddha have their wishes come true. They add to their longevity and are redeemed for their sins from past lives. If puja is offered in the names of the dead ancestors on Kartik Shukla Purnima, they receive salvation.

                                                                                                                                      -  Karsang Bajra Lama Secretary, Namo Buddha Bhagawan Guthi Management Committee