"BUDDHISM IN CHOBHAR PHARPING AREA" Chobhar by Runachobhar

Located atop Chobhar Hill Village, the Monastery is headed by Mingyur Rinpoche, a highly venerated teacher and master of the Karma Kakyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The VIIth Mingyur Dorje Rinpoche is President of the Yongey Foundation. In March of 2007, Yongey Mingyur Dorje Rinpoche released his first book “The Joy of Living” His father, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche is one of the greatest meditation masters of our time. At 20, Mingyur Rinpoche was already a retreat master. Currently, there are 12 monks in residence at Chobhar, and periodically, the Monastery organises Nyung Ne retreats and other teachings. Mingyur Rinpoche teaches actively in the West and is connected to the Tergar Institute project in Bodhgaya, India.

15th CENTURY TEMPLE IN CHOBHAR

History relates that an Indian nun, Gelongma Palmo, who lived in the 8th century, actually practiced the original Nyung Ne ritual in CHOBHAR VILLAGE. Many centuries later, the Adinath Temple of Chobhar was dedicated to her. Today the Adinath Temple is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. Each year, up to 50,000 local people come to pray or worship at this famous Temple in the center of Chobhar Village.
ITINERARY ON THE WAY FROM CHOBHAR TO PHARPING (road to Dakshinkali)

FIRST STOP – Discover CHOBHAR GORGE – 1 km from Chobhar.

Stop to visit legendary Chobhar Gorge created by Goddess Manjushree

SECOND STOP - Stop to admire and take 20 minutes to admire this site of natural beauty – 3 kms from Chobhar.

For more information, visit www.nepalvillageresort.com

THIRD STOP - SHESH NARAYAN - 5 kms from Chobhar on the same road

While better known for its Temple, where there is a beautiful shrine richly endowed with history and art (lovely pond and fountains), visitors also have the possibility to visit a small monastery built on the hillock, a short walk up from the main road. If you arrive at the right time either early in the morning or mid-afternoon, you can hear the monks chanting and prayers, an enriching experience. The monks are always very welcoming.

FOURTH STOP - PHARPING – About 10 Kms from Chobhar

Pharping is identified with the sacred site of Yangleshö (wyl. yang le shod), where Guru Padmasambhava attained the level of a Mahamudra vidyadhara. There are two major practice caves in Pharping blessed by Guru Rinpoche. Above Pharping is the wel-known Asura cave. This Cave Temple is the retreat center where the monks from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery complete the traditional three-year retreat. Secondly, one should visit the Yangleshö cave. The exact number of existing monasteries in Pharping is not recorded but it is an a established fact that recent tibetan incomers have built no fewer than 25 additional monasteries in this area.

Pharping also has a number of temples and retreat centres, including the important Vajrayogini Temple, Chatral Rinpoche's Monastery, and the Palyul Retreat Centre, which is the residence of Khenpo Namdrol Rinpoche and home to the Rigpa Shedra. Last but not least is Choling Monastery. The name of Padmasamba, the founder of Lamaistic School of Buddhism in Tibet is closely associated with the town of Pharping.Visitors to Pharping should plan to spend a minimum of half day to visit some of these exceptional locations.

FIFTH STOP (OPTIONAL)

Having completed their visit to Pharping, visitors have the option to either come back to spend another day or night at Chobhar’s only Hotel or to make a fifth stop in Kirtipur, which is only half hour walk from Chobhar or 5 minutes by car. In Kirtipur, they can explore the hilly streets and fascinating temples of that ancient walled city and in particular visit a Thai-Buddhist temple donated by the government of Thailand which is the only one of its kind, architecturally speaking, in all of Nepal.

Close to Chobhar Ancient Village, only about 2 kms from our Chobhar Resort (ALT1410m) and 8 kms from Kathmandu - is TAUDAHA LAKE, the only lake in Central Nepal, and if not, certainly one of the oldest. See “Legend” in note below.

This lake, together with the Bagmati area and Pharping, harbour a total of 120 wild birds. A brochure listing the different varieties of birds located in these areas is in the process of publication. Birds in this area include the Rudy Shelduck, the Common Coot and the Common Pochard. For those interested, Chobhar Resort Hotel can plan and organize Bird Watching according to your requirements. All we need is about two weeks' notice. A typical bird watching group is composed of ten people, accompanied by one experienced guide in ornithology. If the group numbers more than ten, additional guides will be required. Given sufficient notice, we can arrange for the group to be provided with binoculars, telescopes, and other equipment. Transportation has to be arranged and paid for separately. We are happy to organize this in cooperation with experts from Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN). To determine total cost and other arrangements or reservations, contact Ms Rita Dulal in our Chobhar Promotional office in Thamel, Kathmandu, Telephone 2191010 or email info@nepalvillageresort.com

If you like camping in nature in a hidden paradise only 20 minutes from the capital of Kathmandu, Asia’s most polluted city according to ADB, you do not have to go on some exotic 14 or 21 day trip! Pitch you tent in Chobhar Village, on a hill where you will not be disturbed except by the chirping of the birds! Only 8 kms from noise polluted Thamel/Ktm, Chobhar has no noise or air pollution…..where no one will disturb you. The place we propose is close to the existing Chobhar Buddhist Monastery. In the morning, you will come out of your tent and breathe only beautiful fresh air, while admiring a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range and snow-capped mountains at certain times of the year. In the distance, and literally at your feet, discover the wondrous vista of ALL OF KATHMANDU VALLEY AND HISTORIC CITY OF PATAN off in the distance. Only the Bagmati river separates Chobhar from Patan. If you want a 360 degree view, ask the monks next door to let you go up to the top terrace of Chobhar Monastery. There you will discover a complete 360 PANORAMA, at ALT of about 1500 meters. From that high vantage point you can admire: Meditation Mountain, sacred Taudaha Lake in the distance, road leading to Pharping where it would not be surprising to learn that there are more monasteries in that in area than local residents!.....the green valley, the winding Bagmati river, plantations, fields and more nature. To this day much of this green belt area is unbuilt upon and yet to be discovered. In certain parts of the country surrounding Chobhar Village , you will see there is a total absence of roads…. Few houses….lots of trees and natural beauty.
“Except for the Monastery, where some 12 monks are in residence, no immediate building or people, or children, to disturb you in your camping, should you decide to pitch your tent on this particular choice spot, perfect for camping and pitching your tent.
And when you get hungry, there is a charming old hotel nearby which has a really good cook, so he can prepare your evening meal or breakfast. The same hotel nearby owns the property that you can get authorization to camp on, so by prior arrangement, they can provide you and yours with security during the night. The hotel employs 3 security guards, each on an 8 hour shift. So security-wise, you are safe and well guarded. To make those arrangements about security or meals, phone Shankar Dhital on 4 333 555. He is the local contact person. Charges will be nominal if you bring your own tent and equipment and take your meals with us. The hotel is called Chobhar Village Resort Hotel. Charges will be a bit higher if you do your own cooking. For the lowest charges, consult your TRAVEL AGENT and ask him to contact Mr. Dhital directly. The best way to keep charges down to a minimum is for your TRAVEL AGENT to make a group composed of 10 to 12 persons. This way, the travel agent will provide any tent or other equipment you may or may not have, provide the transportation and negotiate the lowest cost with Camping site Manager, Mr. Shankar Dhital at the nearby hotel, on whose property and camping ground, the proposed camping would take place. For details, phone 4333555 in Chobhar Village. One final detail: no problem of water or public hygiene. After arrangements are made with Mr. Dhital, the hotel has western toilets, showers etc. for campers to use. In addition to food, the hotel can also supply mineral water etc to campers on their site.