Maratika Chimey Takten Choling Monastery

Maratika Chimey Takten Choling Monastery is a holy place for Buddhists and Hindus rich in history, mythology and sacred geology located in Halesi VDC Wards No 4 of Khotang district of Nepal. Matrika is considered as the sacred place where the great master, Padmasambhava (Second Buddha) and Dakini Mandarava achieved the realization of immortality. For Tibetan Buddhism, it is the site of immortality, one of the six supreme pilgrimage sites in the world. 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.

This monastery is situated close by Haleshi Mahadev cave. This one is a unique holy place where Hindu and Buddhist both worship each other. The cave is ancient, inside the cave there is Shiv Linga. Buddhist people worship here as their ancient God. Nowadays people can reach there by 4 wheeler vehicle. It takes a one-day comfortable drive from Katari, a town of Udaypur district or you can take flight from Kathmandu to Lamidanda, then a short drive to Haleshi. Mostly the Bhutanese Buddhist people arrive here to pray in the monastery. The greater region is made up of three hills or holy mountains, among which Avalokitesavara Mountain is the central smaller which houses the two main caves itself, above it next to the cave’s entrance is Maratika Chimey Takten Choling monastery. On either side of the Avalokitesavara hill stand Vajrapani hill to the south, and Manjushri hill to the north, making up the trio of the “family of three protectors”.

Moreover, in 2012, Maratika Chimey Takten Choling Monastery was the home to about 30 resident monks and 25 retreat nuns who practice Buddhist Religion (Buddha Dharma) by studying, reflecting and meditating in a unique setting. With the help of donors, it tries to assist the pilgrims and the local population in many ways.