Photo: Harsh Suthar, Pexels
A visit to Bhutan will be incomplete without visiting some of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in the country.
Bhutan is the only Mahayana Buddhist Kingdom in the world, with Buddhism as the major religion for over 75% of the population. Buddhism is a way of life for most Bhutanese, and temples in the villages form an important aspect of community lives. The temples, in addition to being places of worship, are venues for important festivals in the villages where people come together in their finest clothes.
Depending on when you visit Bhutan, you will have an opportunity to witness some of these festivals. We highlight the top five monasteries that should form part of your Bhutan holidays.
Taktsang (The Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Paro: Taktsang is Bhutan's cultural icon. Visiting this spectacular monastery is a must. The Taktsang Palphug or Tiger's Nest is a Buddhist temple built on a huge rock cliff-face at 900 metres (3,150 metres above sea level) above the Paro Valley. Guru Rinpoche, who spread Buddhism across the Himalayas, is said to have flown here in the 8th century on the back of a tigress. Guru Rinpoche, also called Guru Padmasambhava, is a Buddhist master from India revered across the Himalayas.
The Guru meditated here in a cave for three years. The main shrine of the monastery stands over the cave now. The monastery was built around the holy cave by the 4th Druk Desi (temporal ruler of Bhutan) Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay in 1692. In 1998, the monastery was burnt by a fire and has since been restored to its original form. A hike (medium difficulty) of 2–3 hours each way along the winding footpaths and through pine forests with beautiful views of the wide valley below takes you to the monastery.
Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha: The Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of Fertility, was built in the 15th century. This temple is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who is also known as 'the Divine Madman' — a yogi and a crazy wisdom-master who used unconventional conduct and practices to teach Buddhism. The monastery is famous for the pilgrimages that devotees from all over the country make to seek blessings to conceive children. It is located 10 kms from Punakha, near a place called Sopsokha — a pleasant walk through the village and the fields to get there.
Kurjey Lhakhang, Bumthang: Bumthang, with many Buddhist monasteries, is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan and a destination for travellers from within and outside the country. One of the most revered monasteries to visit is the Kurjey Lhakhang, about 10 kms from the town. Kurjey, which literally means the body (kur) print (jey), celebrates potentially the first of the many visits of Guru Padmasambhava to Bhutan in the 8th century. Guru Rinpoche left a print of his body in the cave where he meditated, and this can now be seen in the monastery. The monastery compound also has a cypress tree which is believed to have grown from the Guru's walking stick.
Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse: Chorten Kora stupa is in the beautiful eastern Bhutan valley of Trashiyangtse. The stupa resembles the Boudhnath stupa in Nepal. It was constructed in 1740 by Lama Ngawang Lodro, the nephew of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (founder of Bhutan), in order to subdue a local demon. The stupa marks two festivals — Dakpa Kora on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, and the Drukpa Kora on the 30th day of the same month — drawing devotees from Bhutan and from Arunachal Pradesh.
Tango and Cheri Monasteries, Thimphu: These two monasteries are located upstream of the river Wangchu, which flows through the capital. Both can be reached by a short drive up the valley followed by short hikes. Cheri Monastery is one of the first Buddhist monasteries built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, after his arrival from Tibet in 1616. The monastery, established in 1620, is now a major retreat and teaching centre for the Kagyu Buddhist School. The Tango Monastery, on the opposite hill, was built in 1688 by the 4th Druk Desi Tenzin Rabgye. Both Tango and Cheri monasteries hold some of the oldest Buddhist wall paintings.
