Asura Cave, Pharping, Nepal

Situated on a cliff above Pharping in the southern Kathmandu Valley, the Asura Cave Temple is deeply significant both historically and spiritually as the location of the tantric master Padmasambhava’s epiphany. In remembrance of the 16th Karmapa’s vision, Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and his son Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche transformed the land into a retreat center for pilgrims, short-term retreatants, and traditional three-year practitioners.

The site welcomes elderly visitors seeking to deepen their practice and insights in their final years. His Holiness Karmapa Rigpe Dorje selected the Asura Cave for a long-life empowerment ritual with Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche in 1976 prior to the consecrating of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery. The temple is still used today as a retreat center for Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling monks and anyone looking for a calm and holy setting.