Pharping

Pharping or Phimtang is a small Newar settlement, situated on the southern edge of Kathmandu valley. Pharping is also known as the oldest hydroelectric power station in Nepal. Besides, this is more purposeful for religious journeys.

As you can find one of the famous temples of Kathmandu over here like the temple of Dakshinkali Mai, Phimtang Bajrayogini temple (Vajrayogini was a wandering ascetic who achieved a level of enlightenment almost equivalent to the male Buddhas), and Shesh Narayan temple.

Shesh Narayan Temple

Located beneath a rocky cliff wall and a Tibetan monastery, the Shesh (or Sekh) Narayan Temple is a highly revered Vishnu shrine surrounded by ponds and statues. Although the main temple was constructed in the 17th century, it is thought that pilgrims have been making their way to the cave to the right (now dedicated to Padmasambhava, or Guru Rinpoche), for a much longer period of time.

With such significant temples, the destination is filled with Buddhist pilgrims and monasteries. There is Yanglesho cave, Asura cave, and monasteries like Neydo Tashi Choling monastery, Palyul Samton Osel ling, and Tegchen Leksheyling Retreat Center.

Pharping is one of the most revered locations connected to the great yogi because it is the location where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is said to have attained enlightenment.

According to legend, when Guru Rinpoche started practicing Yangdak Heruka at Pharping with his consort Shakyadevi, the daughter of a Nepalese king, strong spirits caused a three-year drought, famine, and disease throughout the entire country.

In order to combat these forces, Guru Rinpoche asked his teachers in India to send teachings. It is said that as soon as the messengers arrived in Phaping carrying different tantric texts, the obstacles were immediately calmed and the famine and disease stopped.