The Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the most intriguing nations in existence and captivates people around the world with its geographical splendour and unique spiritual viewpoints. The King of Bhutan for example is referred to as the ‘Dragon King’, and the nation’s success is defined by ‘gross national happiness’ as opposed to gross domestic product. The nation is also quite the tourism destination, and today you can even find many a Bhutan luxury spa to choose from such as COMO Uma Paro.
There are many breath-taking attractions and heritage sites to visit in Bhutan, but one of the true essentials is the Kyichu Lhakhang. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, and is very renowned since it is believed to have been built by King Songsten Gampo during the 7th century. This particular king is one of the most significant in Bhutan’s history since he was the one who unified all the various kingdoms that were present in the country at the time and formed a collective nation.
This is one of 108 proposed temples by King Songsten Gampo to supposedly rid the nation of a giant Demoness that was preventing the spread of Buddhism in Tibet. Only 12 of these were actually built.
In the 8th century, the temple received a visit by Padmasambhava and according to legend the Buddhist master concealed a number of tantric literatures within the temple. These works are referred to as spiritual treasures and some believe that they were concealed using esoteric means.
From the 12th century onwards many entities received the responsibility of maintaining the temple. Sometime around the 15th century, the temple received a comprehensive restoration on the behest of Pema Lingpa, an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, second only to Padmasambhava himself.
If you ever find yourself in Bhutan, be sure to visit this sacred and renowned place.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
