Halesi Maratika Tour

Introduction
Halesi means admirable (hallau) in Sherpa and Tibetan languages, and Maratika means vanquishing the maras (End of Death or Mara Rakshasa removed). Hence, Halesi-Maratika means “glorious victory over the Death”. Halesi-Maratika Caves are located near Mahadevasthan village in East Khotang district. As this cave is directly related to Guru Padmasambhava’s life, it is an important and holy place for Buddhist pilgrims. On his way to Tibet from India, Guru Padmasambhava destroyed the demons in the lower cave of Halesi and gained knowledge of immortality by meditating in the upper cave.

Halesi Maratika Caves
Halesi Maratika Caves and Gonpas (Buddhist monasteries) are located near the village of Mahadevsthan in East Khotang District, at an altitude of 3,100 meters (4,734 ft) above sea level. This cave is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Hindus and Kirant believers. The caves of Halesi are especially holy places for Buddhist pilgrims, while the Hindus associate Halesi with Mahadev, the form of Shiva, and consider them sacred sites. The Kirantis worship Halesi as an ancestral deity. The oral tradition of the Kirants “Kirat Mundhum” holds that their ancestor Chhakulerai (Khokchilip), an ancestral deity known as Hechchkuppa resided within the Halesi Cave. Because of this belief, the Kirants consider Halesi their ancestral place.

History
The caves of HalesiMaratika are mentioned in Himalayan literature as far back as the 12th century. In the biography of Guru Padmasambhava (KathangSangling), the original events are described, which help to support the Halesi Marathi caves as a sacred and important place for Vajrayana practitioners.

Buddhism
At Halesi Maratika Cave, at the request of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Amitabh Buddha taught the 18 Tantras of Longevity, which the dakini Sangva Yeshe concealed as a terma in Maratika. When Buddha Amitayus appeared in the sky and gave initiation, Guru Padmasambhava and Dakini Mandarva practised the teachings of longevity for 90 days and acquired the wisdom of longevity. So, this place contains the blessing of Buddha Amitabh’s long-life teachings. Maratika was also blessed by the three guardians, Manjushree, Vajrapani and Avalokitesvara. In this cave, Guru Padmasambhava, on his way from India to Tibet, destroyed the Bhashmasura Demons in the lower cave, while in the upper cave, he received the knowledge of immortality through the meditation of Buddha Amitayu. Most devotees come to this shrine to receive the blessings of long life, wealth, and children. In this pilgrimage site, there are spectacular places such as long life vases (Gyakshen De Jayi) of Amitayu Buddha, the stone form of the kings of the four directions, Swargadwar, Narakdwar (places to see those who have not sinned). The devotees from Tibet, Bhutan, and India come here to offer praying flags, ghee lamps, and offerings for praying.

Hinduism
Hindus from India travel long distances to visit this place. Most of the devotees come here every year in July to have a vision of Halesi Mahadev. It is believed that Lord Shiva hid in this cave for 6,000 years to escape the demon Bhasmasura.