Jatmatrochha (Jamacho)

In the course of creation, when the Himalaya mountain was formed, a vast and beautiful lake came into being in its lap. That deep lake was the playground and dwelling place of the Naga kings. That is why the sacred lake was called Nagahrad.

In the age of Satya Yuga, Vipaswi Buddha arrived in this region from the city of Bandhumati. He sat on the western ridge of Nagahrad and observed the lake. The clear water of Nagahrad, shining like the full moon in the blue sky, looked exceedingly enchanting.

From that very ridge Vipaswi Buddha planted the seed of a divine lotus in the waters of Nagahrad. "May a thousand-petalled lotus bloom in this lake, and from it may a divine light emerge," he blessed. The tall hill on which Vipaswi Buddha planted the seed was called Jatmatrochha.

Ages later, the acharya Nagarjuna performed severe penance for a long time on this sacred mountain. Thereafter this ridge became famous by the name Nagarjuna Hill, or Jamacho. A hundred and eight caves came to be there, where Vajrayana practitioners lived to meditate and perform their sadhana.