Taktshang | My Site

Taktshang - The Tigers Nest Temple

Located at an altitude of 3150 meters above the sea level, in Tsento Gewog of Paro valley, the Temple is located perched on a Rock Cliff about 3 hours hike from the base. This 17th Century Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site today; and it once was a meditation retreat place for the Great 8th Century Vajrayana Tantric Master Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche after which several revered mahasiddhas such as Phajo Drugom Zhigpo & Drubthob Thangtong Gyalpo followed to meditate there.

According to the Biography of Guru Padmasambhava written by his principle consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal, it is said that Padmasambhava while at Singye Dzong in Lhuntse of Eastern Bhutanm climbed atop a Flying Tigress (who is said to be a transformation of Munmo Tashi Khyidron, another of his consort) and flew to the Tiger's Next Cliff. It was here that the Guru meditated for 3 years 3 months and 3 days ( Lo Sum Choe Sum retreat) and it was also at the Taktshang that he transformed into his wrathful form of Dorji Drolo.

Getting There

The 3 Hour Hike up the hill starts at the Ramthangka base, which is about 30 minutes drive from Paro town. Hikers can rent horses for an experience though it's not usually recommended on a pilgrimage but for those who face difficulty hiking up the hill it's always an option; it usually cost about a 1000- 1500 ngultrums and the transportation is only available one way or up the hill. Walking sticks as aids are also available for rent costing between 50-150 ngultrums. The hike is 4 Kilometers in total and the elevation from ground up is about 700 meters. A cafeteria is located at halfway, 2 kms up the hill which is a good spot to rest and lunch or snack. The next 2 kilometers is fairly easy with gentle slope and a scenic view.

The Shelkar DrupChu Water Fall

Few hundred meters before the temple is the Shelkar DrupChu water fall which literally translates to 'white crystal holy water.' The water fall is believed to be blessed by a thousand dakinis who welcomed Guru Padmsambhava while another legend accounts that the Rosary beads of Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal (Principal consort of Padmasambhava) broke into pieces and formed the waterfall fall thereby the name 'Shekar' meaning broken crystal Glass.

Monumental Fees

The temple the holiest amongst sites in Vajrayana Buddhism is nothing short of a grand museum elsewhere, with a grand view every minute spent is worth it. Tourists need to pay a monument visit fee of nu.1000/-.

History

The 1st Temple Construction

Legend has it that when Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel spent a night at the Rinpung Dzong in Paro, he had a dream of a black man granting him the key to the Taktsang Ney; the following morning the he let his attendants know that he was expecting a visitor and the person be brought to him without delay. As it had been, a peasant carrying a bag of onions arrived at the Rinpung, he was accompanied to meet the Zhabdrung; the Guardian deity of the Tigers Lair Cliff~ Singye Samdrup that morning had come to offer the Sacred Site to Zhabdrung, the Zhabdrung offered him a white Silk Scarf and asked it to be taken atop the Cliff and pronounce the site under his jurisdiction. The deity Singye Samdrup did as asked and the Zhabdrung vowed that a Guru Tsengye Lhakhang / Temple of the 8 Manifestation of Padmasambhava would be built at the Tigers Nest. The Zhabdrung however passed away soon before fulfilling his promise and it wass left upon his heart son Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye who was also the 4th Druk Desi to fulfill the wishes of the Zhabdrung. The temple complex was finally built for the very first time in 1692 AD which was completed in 1694 AD

Fires & Restorations

` 2 Fire incidences has bee recorded in the 20th Century. The fire of 1951 caused significant damage while the incident in 1998 alsmot complety destroyed the entire complex including ancient paintings. The caves remained unharmed though and the only surviving ancient statue was of that of the self speaking statue of Guru Padmasambhava. Reconstruction under the command of the 4th Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck began almost immediately and lasted from year 2000 until 2004 and it was reopened to the public in the year 2005.

1. Pelphu Lhakhang

This main temple has Guru Dorje Dorlo riding a female tigress as the central Figure.

The walls are filled with paintings of Guru Padmasambahava's 8 manifestations.

2. Guru Sungjoen Lhakhang / The Temple of the Self Speaking Statue of Padmasambhava

Housing the statue of Self Spoken statue of Guru Padmasambhava as the main central figure, this bronze statue was the only surviving relics of the major fires.

3. Kuenrey / The Prayer hall

The Kuenrey is the prayer hall of the monks as is common in most Bhutanese Monasteries.

The main statue is of that of Guru Nangsoe Zilnnoen along with the statues of his 2 principal consorts on the either sides.

The walls has paintings of the Buddha of Three times.

4. Temple of Chorten of Langchen Pelgi Singye

The temple houses a stupa which contains the ashes of Langchen Pelgyi Singye who was one of the main disciples of guru Padmsambhava. It's said that Langchen Pelgyi Singye passed away in Drapumarutika in Nepal and that his ashes were brought to Taktshang by Dorji Lingpa.

The temple has paintings of Zhabdrung with 2 disciples, Buddha with his 2 disciples and the painting of Langchen Pelgyi Singye.

5. Temple of the 8 Manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava

The Temple consists of 8 manifestation of Guru Padmasambhava.

6. Temple of Guru Dorje Dorlo

Here the main central figure is of that of Guru Dorji Dorlo riding a female tigress, the wrathful form of Padmasambhava.

The cave behind the temple is where Padmasambhava is said to have spent 3 years 3 months & 3 days meditating.

7. Namthoesoe Lhakhang/ Temple of God of wealth

In this temple the main central figure is of that of Namthoesoe the God of wealth.

There are paintings of Zhabdrung and Guru Rinpoche.

8. Temple of Tshela Namsum / Temple of Trinity of longetivity

There are 3 main statues of the Trinity buddha of longlife and they are ;-

i. Amitayus / Tsepame / Buddha of Longlife

ii. Vijaya / Namgyelma / Goddess of Vistory

iii. Sita Tara . Dolkar / White Tara

9. Neykhang

It is the temple of local deity Singye Samdrup

9 Temples of Taktshang

The 9 or 13 Caves of Paro Taktshang.
There are some 9 or 13 caves spread across the rock cliff. The Caves are :-

Machig Phug (ma gcig phug) - the cave where Machik Labdron meditated.
Senge Phug (seng ge phug)- the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated on Vajra Kilaya.
Pelphug (dpal phug) - the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated for four months on phur pa'i lha tshogs and
Drolo Phug (gro lod phug)
Osel Phug ('od gsal phug)
Gedig Phug (dge sdig phug)
Chogyal Phug (chos rgyal phug)
Kapali Phug (ka pa li phug)
Phagmo Phug (phag mo phug)

Taktshang - The Tigers Nest Temple

Getting There

History

9 Temples of Taktshang

The 9 or 13 Caves of Paro Taktshang. There are some 9 or 13 caves spread across the rock cliff. The Caves are :-

​

The 9 or 13 Caves of Paro Taktshang.
There are some 9 or 13 caves spread across the rock cliff. The Caves are :-