Neydo Monastery
The Neydo Tashi Choeling Buddhist Monastery, to give this wonderful place of peace, nature, and serenity its full name, is scenically located in the delightful rurality of the Kathmandu Valley at Pharping.
The chaos and pollution of Kathmandu are just a one-hour drive away (same for the Airport), so as well as being a "spiritual retreat", it's also an ideal place to visit or even stay if you want to get away from it all.
Yes, you really can enjoy a "Monastery Stay" at Neydo. Within the grounds of the monastic complex, quite literally "next door," is a very comfortable and welcoming guest house, complete with en-suite rooms. See the end of the image gallery further below.
Visitors are welcome to observe (or even participate) in the daily prayers and rituals and become fully immersed in all aspects of monastic life "as you wish".
Meeting and talking with monks (young and old) is all part of the delight of staying at Neydo.
Nearby is the Asura Cave, where Padmasambhava, or Guru Rinpoche, meditated and achieved the highest realisation. There are also several nature walking possibilities in the Hattiban Forest, ranging from a full-day hike to easy, short walks.
Dakshinkali Temple is located about one kilometre outside Pharping. It is one of several “power places” in the Kathmandu Valley and one of the most important temples in Nepal dedicated to the goddess Kali.
Prayers and rituals at the Tashi Choeling Monastery usually take place twice a day, in the morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. At the weekends, it's usually just Saturday morning, as many of the younger monks in particular get "time off".
Please note that Neydo Monastery encourages visitors to experience life in the monastery so that they can better understand and appreciate how the Kagyu and Nyingma Traditions of Tibetan Buddhism are lived. The monastery has some "simple rules" for all visitors to respect. Basically, treat the place as you would your own home. Please avoid making loud noise, the consumption of alcohol, and inappropriate behaviour, particularly public displays of a sexual nature.
Staying at Neydo Monastery is akin to a "great escape," and many of our Snow Cat Travel clients suggest that if you're thinking of a stay at a Buddhist Monastery, then it's best appreciated as the "finale" to your Nepal visit. It's handy for the airport too; it takes about the same time from Thamel.
Neydo Monastery Images
Read our Nepal Travel Guide
All rights reserved. Snow Cat Travel is a Registered Trade Mark UK 00003289264
