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Day04 hiking to NAGARJUNA
Located north-west of Kathmandu it takes 15 minutes by car than 2 and half hours up to the Nagarjuna hill, which also called historical Jamacho Peak (6,300 feet) The mountain is called Nagarjuna hill because Nagarjuna's cave-residence is found there, where he performed meditation. Besides Nagarjuna cave there are some other cave of Buddha, Mahasiddhas.
One of the famous story of the Buffalo Buddha: A long time ago when Acarya Nagarjuna was living in his cave, an idiot buffalo herdsman from Kathmandu became possessed by faith in the Master, and came to him frequently offering curd and milk, etc. Once when he asked Nagarjuna to come to town, the Master refused, saying, 'If you are able to meditate upon perfect reality, sit down here'. So he did as he was told, but obsessed by his work of guarding buffaloes he could think of nothing but buffaloes. 'Visualize yourself as a buffalo.' Instructed the Acarya. So he meditated in what today is called the Cave of the Buffalo Buddha, and after a while he actually became a buffalo. His horns struck the rock above him and the holes, which today are known as his horn-prints appeared. Then Nagarjuna told him to contemplate his body in its natural state of total relaxation. Meditating according, his body became as before and his senses became sharp and alert, so he was given initiation and precepts. After he had accomplished the aim of his mediation, it is said that he shot through the roof of the cave and went straight to the Dakini's Paradise. |
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Day05 hiking to SHIVAPURI - (2563 m)
Shivapuri situated at an altitude of 2563m north of Kathmandu is second highest hill around Kathmandu valley. Baghdwar, Shivapuri locates near source of holy river Bagmati. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive for about 20 minutes to Budhanikantha Temple, 8 kms north of Kathmandu. From Budhanilkantha we walk through Shivapuri conservation area. This is the Government protected forest where over 500 species are found. We start our hike from the southern boundary of the area where the army check post is located. Nagi Gumpa situated at an altitude of 2330 m north of Kathmandu and above Budhanilkantha Temple is only Monastery for the Nuns practice Buddhism and foreigners often come there for meditation. It is a steep uphill hike through narrow and dusty trail for about half an hour and two hours gradual uphill trial to Shivapuri. After lunch and strolling around from sometime , we take a short cut down hill trail to Kopan for about two hours and drive back to Kathmandu. |
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| Day06 hiking from NAGARKOT to DHULIKHEL |