Paro Taktsang Lhakhang Monastery
Taktsang Lhakhang is a picturesque Buddhist monastery built over steep cliffs near the town of Paro and is considered Bhutan’s largest religious center. In the Dzong-ke language, the name of the monastery means “lair of the tigress”. Taktsang Lhakhang is often spoken of as floating in the clouds. This comparison has come about because the monastery buildings are erected on the ledge of a steep cliff, 3,120 meters above sea level and rise 700 meters above the valley.
Video: Taktsang-lakhang
Highlights
Today, the Buddhist complex has become one of the country’s most visited tourist attractions. People travel to Taktsang Lhakhang to admire the mountainous landscape, with stunning views from the balconies and passages between the religious shrines. The ancient monastery attracts with beautiful Buddha statues and elegant decoration.
.The ascent to the monastery follows paths and is fenced with brightly colored prayer flags. Traditionally, such flags are symbols of good luck and protection from evil forces. Buddhists believe that they add energy and help the traveler during the difficult ascent.
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Note that before planning a trip to Bhutan, it is necessary to request permission to visit the Taktsang Lhakhang Monastery. This is done at the Bhutanese Ministry of Culture. Tourists without a permit only reach the Tsogyal Pangchung temple, which stands near the Shelkarchu waterfall..Before starting the climb, travelers enter the parking lot where there are stalls selling candles, prayer flags and drinking water on weekends. If traveling to Taktsang Lhakhang falls on weekdays, everything that may be needed on the way should be taken care of in advance. To give tourists a rest, there are cafes on the ascent where you can drink tea with milk or coffee.
.History of Taktsang Lhakhang Monastery
The cliffside caves have been used for meditation and spiritual practices since ancient times. According to Buddhist legend, in the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava, revered in Bhutan, flew to Paro from Tibet. He climbed a sheer cliff riding a tigress, which his former wife, the Tibetan princess Yeshe Tsogyal, had turned into.
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The famous yogi-practitioner Milarepa (1052-1135) practiced meditation in the rock caves. In the 17th century, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the king and founder of the state of Bhutan, visited here many times. In the form in which the Taktsang Lhakhang Monastery survives today, it was built in 1692, during the reign of Tenzin Rabji.
.In 1998, a large fire broke out in the buildings on the mountain and they burned almost entirely. Several monks died in the fire. The reason for the tragedy was that it was difficult to climb up to the monastery and people could not come to help in time. The restoration of the Buddhist shrine took several years and was completed in 2005. Notably, the restoration of Taktsang Lhakhang took place under the personal supervision of the King of Bhutan.
.How to get there
Taktsang Lhakhang is located 10 kilometers northwest of the Bhutanese city of Paro. It can be reached by cab before the climb. Usually, tourists book a round trip and ask the driver to wait for 5-6 hours. In this case, the cab service costs $12. If you get to Taktsang Lhakhang from the city of Thimphu, which is 60 kilometers away, you have to pay about $30 for a cab.
.The monastery is reached on foot or on mules. With average fitness, tourists take two to three hours to climb the monastery.
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