There are a number of caves in the area but the main cave of
pilgrimage is the Maratika Treasury Cave. It is here that Guru
Rinpoche, with his consort Mandarava, achieved immortal life
through the practice of Amitayus.
The caves of Maratika are mentioned in Tibetan literature from
the twelfth century onwards. A biography of Guru Rinpoche,
discovered by Nyangrel Nyima Ozer, describes why the Maratika caves
are a sacred place for Buddhists. Other written sources say that at
the request of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Buddha Amitabha
taught the eighteen tantras of Long Life. The dakinis wrote them
down in their symbolic script using melted lapis lazuli on golden
paper, and deposited them in a box made of five precious jewels,
which they concealed in the secret Maratika cave. There are said to
be many treasures buried in this holy place
http://www.mandalamagazine.org/archives/mandala-issues-for-2008/june/the-caves-of-maratika/
Om soti. This supreme holy place is similar to Ogmin
and Khachö buddha fields. The shape of this mountain resembles a
heap of lotuses. Above, the lamas of the Eight Means of Attainment
are arranged
like a mass of clouds. In the middle dwells an assembly of
rainbow-like deities. Below, the ocean of oath-bound protectors
roars like thunder. In front, the offering goddesses perform their
dance.
The first secret path on the right differentiates between virtue
and sin and is the great path of the hot and cold hells. The stone
path behind shows the narrow path of the intermediate state between
death and rebirth. The path on the left is the great path purifying
the defilements and obscurations of the womb and collecting the two
accumulations of merit and wisdom. The rocky path in front is the
great path purifying all sins and obscurations of immoral priests
and monks who have broken their commitments. These four secret
paths bring liberation from the eighteen hell realms
At that place there are self-created images of Brahma, Indra,
Hayagriva and Dorje Phagmo in union, the naga king Taksaka
(dGa’ bo ‘jog po), and a box of good fortune (g.yang
gi gau) that grants the birth of sons and daughters and
whatever one prays for. On the four directions are the four great
kings; above are self-created umbrellas, victory banners, standards
and canopies, and in the middle is a self-created prayer to the
Guru written in the symbolic script of the dakinis. Inside the
cave, above seven steps, is the self-created life vase used by
Amitayus for bestowing the empowerment of immortality. There is no
doubt that all the prayers addressed to it will be fulfilled. At
the right of the life vase is the self-created body imprint of
Amitayus visible on the rock.
The entrance of this place resembles a half moon and faces
towards the east, while the path leading to it comes from the
south. A large number of trees grow in that place, the birds sing
melodiously and there are many sweetly scented flowers. In front is
a self-created lake, and at the distance of an arrow shoot is the
self-created, secret cave of the Guru.
The second entrance of this holy place is known as the meditation
cave of the Eight Means of Attainment. Inside is the
self-created stone of the flesh, blood and soul of liberating the
female demons. At the left of this door is a white turquoise conch
shell; just by hearing its sound, the evil states of cyclic
existence are shattered. Five hundred arahats are said to
have visited that place. Inside is the Guru’s blessed water. It is
said that by putting that blessed water in the mouth, the five
uninterrupted sins are purified. Also inside are the Guru’s
footprint and the self-created, unobstructed door of the sky. Above
are the Guru’s toilet and his self-created thighbone trumpet and
hat. Because in that place their evil conduct becomes clear to
them, sinful women and heretics avoid going there.
In front of the first entrance to that holy place is a lotus-like
tree known as shimal in Nepali language. At the east is
the peaceful assembly hall, at the south is the imprint of the
Guru’s body and the assembly hall of hundred thousand dakinis, at
the west is the meditation cave of Dorje Phagmo, and at the north
is the self-created rock imprint of the Three Protectors. These are
the signs related to pacifying, increasing, controlling and
wrathful activities. At the southeast is the Manjushri Hill and at
the southwest, the Vajrapani Hill.
When visiting that great place, the highest people will engage in
longevity practices, the middle ones will perform offerings, and
the lower ones will make prostrations and circumambulation. If one
visits this great holy place called Halashe or Astonishing, one
will not need to experience the lower realms.
http://www.maratika.org/history/history_maratika.html
Thus spoke the Great Guru.”