A Journey into the Heart of Sacred Power
March 21 – April 5, 2026
The Shang Shung Institute U.K. and the Museum of Oriental Art and Culture (MACO), responding to renewed interest and heartfelt requests, are delighted to once again offer a unique spiritual journey: the Maratika and Kathmandu Valley Pilgrimage, taking place from March 21 to April 5, 2026.
This is not just a trip—it is a transformative encounter with some of the most powerful sacred sites in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions, places where history, myth, and living practice merge into an experience that can touch every dimension of your being.
Why pilgrimage?
Across cultures, certain landscapes—mountains, caves, rivers, and valleys—have been revered as sacred geography, imbued with extraordinary energy and spiritual meaning. Tibetan Buddhism recognizes these places as “gnas chen” (great sacred sites), where the very earth, water, air, and stones are permeated with blessings. Over centuries, pilgrims have journeyed to such places, seeking healing, longevity, wisdom, and liberation.
Caves where saints meditated, mountains inhabited by deities, and valleys protected by elemental spirits are often marked by prayer flags, stupas, and monasteries. To this day, they remain destinations where devotion, culture, and nature converge.
Maratika – The Cave of Immortal Life
Among the world’s great pilgrimage destinations, Maratika (Halesi) holds a special place. For Buddhists, it is where Padmasambhava and Mandarava attained the realization of long life. For Hindus, it is equally sacred as a site connected with Lord Shiva. Here, the blessings of longevity, vitality, and healing are especially strong.
Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche, in his guide to Maratika, wrote:
“The mere hearing of its name spreads the seed of liberation.
The mere remembrance of it removes the danger of early death.
And by bowing, circumambulating and offering,
An ocean of merit is accomplished.”
Similarly, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche recognized Maratika as one of the six most sacred places on earth, together with Bodhgaya in India, the Five Peaks of Manjushri, and the Potala in Tibet.
For the Dzogchen Community, Maratika holds even deeper significance. It was here, in April 1984, that Chögyal Namkhai Norbu revealed the profound practice “The Long-Life Practice of the Immortal Mandarava Dakini.” Since then, Maratika has remained a place of great inspiration for practitioners worldwide.
Pilgrimage Highlights 2026
Our 2026 journey will include:
- Practice in the Heruka Cave – where Chögyal Namkhai Norbu led the historic Amitayus Long Life Retreat in 1984.
- Visiting sacred caves – including Vajrapani and Manjushri Hills, the powerful Naga Cave, the secret Mandarava Cave, and the Garuda Cave (recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche especially for those with cancer).
- Vajra Dance in Maratika – following the blessing of the Vajra Dance Mandala in 2024, we will once again have the opportunity to dance at Maratika itself.
- Healing & relaxation – expert Tibetan Ku Nye (bsku nye) therapists from Kathmandu will accompany the group, offering traditional massage and treatments to restore balance after our practice sessions.
- Special encounters – as on past tours, we may witness extraordinary meetings: shamans, monks, tulkus, and the vibrant life of Maratika’s living spiritual community.
A Living Project of Peace
This pilgrimage will also contribute to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s vision of building 108 unique stupas around the world—a project based on the terma of Changchub Dorje, dedicated to preventing war and harmonizing conflicts. During the 2026 journey, a new stupa, masterfully crafted by Migmar Tsering and the Dynamic Space of the Elements, will be brought to Maratika, joining this global mandala of stupas for peace and balance.
You have the opportunity to join the Maratika & Kathmandu Valley tour for free!
By participating in our annual prize draw, you help support the initiatives of the London Institute of Tibetan Studies and our projects in Nepal.
The First Prize includes an all-expenses-paid trip to Nepal for the March 21st – April 5th, 2026 tour, plus €1,000 towards your air-ticket to Kathmandu.
For a donation of just €50, you get a chance to win this incredible journey, or other prizes like a stay at Merigar or Dzamling Gar.
Link: https://www.shangshunguk.org/fundraiser-for-nepal/
Join Us
The Maratika and Kathmandu Valley Pilgrimage is more than a trip—it is an immersion in living sacred tradition, an opportunity to practice where masters have practiced, and to connect with landscapes alive with blessings.
Whether you are drawn by devotion, curiosity, or the wish for renewal, this journey offers a rare chance to step into a space where the ordinary and the sacred meet.
Dates: March 21 – April 5, 2026
Organizers: Shang Shung Institute U.K. & MACO
Destinations: Maratika, Kathmandu Valley, sacred caves & monasteries
Places are limited. Reserve your space early to be part of this extraordinary pilgrimage.
“When you see this great place, you can’t help but be amazed.” – Chatral Rinpoche
