Mandarava was a chief consort-disciple of Guru Padmasambhava and considered her to be a female guru-deity in Tantric Buddhism or Vajrayana. According to a legend, she was born a princess in Zahor, near the city of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, India. She renounced her royal birthright at an early age in order to practice the Dharma. Her devotion led her to bring at least 800 women, including her entire personal retinue, to the path of the Dharma, all before meeting her teacher, Padmasambhava. The place where she meditate is now a holy site to visit for the pilgrimages.
Holy Caves & Temples
Holy Mandarava Cave
Protector Deity Achi Choekyi Drolma Temple
Achi Chökyi Drölma is the Dharma Protector (Dharmapāla) of the Drikung Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Achi Chokyi Drolma is the grandmother of Jigten Sumgön, the founder of Drikung Kagyu. The Temple consists of Dharma protectors like Palden Lhamo, Gonpo Chakshe, Choekoung, and Achi Choekyi Drolma. It is often believed by the devotees that praying to Achi Choekyi Drolma swiftly brings blessings and good fortunes to fellow devotees.
Butter Lamp Temple
Butter lamps are a conspicuous feature of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout the Himalayas. Each morning Tibetans offer a lighted butter lamp, representing the illumination of wisdom, along with seven other bowls containing pure water. The butter lamps help to focus the mind and aid meditation. According to the Root tantra of Cakrasaṃvara Tantra, “If you wish for sublime realisation, offer hundreds of lights”. Pilgrims also supply lamp oil to gain merit. Externally, the lights are seen to banish darkness.
