Announcing Vajrayana Pilgrimage Sites: A Digital Guide to Sacred Né

I’ve been working on a small project: a website documenting Vajrayana pilgrimage sites.

It started from a simple frustration. When I’d search for information about places like Pharping or Maratika, I’d find either academic papers too dense to be practical, or tourist websites that lumped everything Buddhist together without understanding the distinctions.

The Distinction That Matters

There’s a difference between a site that’s generally Buddhist and a site that’s specifically Vajrayana. Bodh Gaya is sacred to all Buddhists—Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana alike. It’s where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Profoundly important.

But Pharping is something else. That’s where Padmasambhava achieved the Mahamudra Vidyadhara level. His handprint is still there, pressed into the rock of the Asura Cave. Maratika is where he and Mandarava attained immortality through Amitayus practice. These aren’t just historical sites—they’re transmission points. The blessing of what was accomplished there is said to remain accessible.

I wanted a resource that understood this distinction. Something focused specifically on the né where tantric accomplishment occurred.

What’s There

The site covers 14 locations across Tibet, Nepal, India, and Bhutan. Each one has a direct connection to Vajrayana practice:

• Padmasambhava’s caves and body imprints
• Yeshe Tsogyal’s practice sites, including Tidrum where she achieved rainbow body
• Mount Kailash as Chakrasamvara’s mandala
• The hidden valleys (beyul) prophesied by Guru Rinpoche

For each site, there’s historical context, information about associated masters and practices, and practical details for anyone planning pilgrimage—permits, best seasons, what to expect.

Why Bother

I built this partly for myself. I wanted the information organized in one place. But I also think there’s value in being precise about what makes a site Vajrayana rather than generally Buddhist. The distinction matters for practitioners.

There’s also the preservation aspect. Some of this knowledge exists mainly in the memories of older Tibetans who’ve made these pilgrimages. Writing it down, making it accessible—that feels worthwhile.

Still Simple

The site is straightforward. No fancy features, just information organized clearly. It’s free, it’s on GitHub Pages, and I’ll add to it as I learn more.

If you’re interested in Vajrayana pilgrimage, or just curious about these places, take a look.