Hike Around Kathmandu a Day Trip – Nagarjun Day Hike

Located north-west of Kathmandu it takes 20 minutes by car and 2 and half hours to hike up to the Nagarjuna hill, which is also, called the historical Jamacho Peak at 6,300 feet. The mountain is called Nagarjuna hills because Nagarjuna\'s cave-residence is found here and this is where he performed his meditations. Besides Nagarjuna cave there are some other caves of Buddha, Mahasiddhas. One of the famous stories of the Buffalo Buddha is that , a long time ago when Acharya Nagarjuna was living in his cave, an idiot buffalo herdsman from Kathmandu became possessed by faith in the master and came to him frequently, offering curd and milk etc. Once when he asked Nagarjuna to come to town with him, the master refused, saying, \'If you are able to meditate upon perfect reality, sit down here\'. So he did as he was told, but obsessed by his work of guarding the buffaloes he could not think of anything else but the buffaloes! \'Visualize yourself as a buffalo\' instructed the Acharya, so he meditated in what today is called the Cave of the Buffalo Buddha and after a while he actually became a buffalo! His horns struck the rock above him and the holes, which today are known as his horn-prints. Eventually, Nagarjuna told him to contemplate his body in its natural state of total relaxation and meditating according to his instructions, the herdsman came to his senses and became sharp and alert. After he had accomplished the aim of his mediation, it is said that he shot through the roof of the cave and went straight to the Dakini\'s Paradise. It is also claim that Maha Manjushree, who is supposed to be the founder of Kathmandu valley, saw Kathmandu valley as a lake from this point. In a clear day you can see whole Ganesh Himal, Manasalu and Lantang range from here and also the Kathmandu valley. On The top have small stupa. You hike down same trail though forest. Total about 6 to 8 hours hike.