Pilgrimage Tour to Bhutan

Takstang Monastery

Takstang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery is Paro and Bhutan’s most famous religious site. This cluster of temples is perched on a cliff 800 meters above Paro Valley. Guru Rimpoche came here to meditate during the eighth century by flying on a pregnant tigress. The great Tibetan saints Milarepa and Dorji Lingpa came here to meditate. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel visited in 1646. Thangtong Gyalpo revealed a terma (treasure text) at Takstang. The main lhakhang was built around the Dubkhang (or Pelphug), the holy cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated. Other buildings include the Phorbu Lhakahang which contains a phorbu or three sided ritual dagger used to slay demons. Higher up is Ugyen Tshemo Lhakhang, and even higher Zangto Pelri. In 1998 Takstang was destroyed by fire. Only the temple of the Protecting Deity of Takstang, Singye Samdu survived. Takstang was rebuilt and consecrated on 24 March 2005.