Yang-le-shod

Yang-le-shod is a short taxi ride from the centre of Kathmandu. After this it is a climb up many steps and through a complex of monastery buildings. This is a site of pilgrimage to visit two caves - the Vajrayogini cave and Padmasambhava cave.

The Vajrayogini cave is very small and a little tricky to access. The Padmasambhava cave is a little larger - big enough for 3 or 4 people. The Padmasambhava cave is famous for a handprint in the rock outside which is said to be an impression of Padmasambhava's hand. Visiting on a Saturday meant that it was very busy with a lot of visitors so it was not possible to spend any time in the cave practising.

We did not stay long and climbed back down the steps to walk back to the village. Yang-le-shod (Parphing in Nepalese) is not a wealthy area and does not have many restaurants or facilities for tourists. We stopped at a tiny place - almost like a garage - and had cha and steamed momos. The momos were the cheapest that could be found, but also tasty and most excellent. It was entertaining for the local people having us sitting by the side of the street, opposite the magnificent Padmasambhava statue (see photo) eating and drinking.

We then wandered down to the part of the village that is off the tarmac road, and just a dirt track. Here we found an excellent fabric shop and bought some red cotton at a ridiculous price.