Paro Taktsang

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Paro Taktsang (spa phro stag tshang) / (spa gro stag tshang) is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. It was built around the Taktsang Senge Samdup (stag tshang seng ge bsam grub) cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated in the 8th Century. Today it is the most well known of thirteen taktsang or "tiger lair" caves he meditated in at different places in Tibet and Bhutan.

Completed in 1692, the temple hangs on a cliff at 3,120 metres (10,200 feet), some 700 meters (2,300 feet) above the bottom of Paro valley, some 10 km from the district town of Paro.

Famous visitors include Milarepa, Machig Labdrön, Thang Tong Gyalpo, and in the 17th century Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

The name Taktsang (stag tshang) means "Tiger's lair", the legend being that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew there on the back of a tiger. The monastery includes seven temples which can all be visited. The monastery suffered several blazes and is a recent restoration. Visitors ascend the slope to the monastery on foot or on mule-back.

Steep cliff faces surround the monastery

Closer detailed view

Mountain mists often wrap the monastery

[edit] Further Reading

Guide to Taktshang. Thimphu, Bhutan: Department of Culture. 2005. ISBN 9993661716.

Lopen Kunzang Thinley; Pema Wangdi (translator) (2008). Seeds of Faith: A comprehensive guide to the sacred places of Bhutan, Volume 1. Thimphu, Bhutan: KMT. pp. 121-125. ISBN 9993661716.
Ardussi, John A. (1999). "Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye and the Founding of Taktsang Lhakhang". Journal of Bhutan Studies (Thimphu: Centre for Bhutan Studies) 1 (1). http://orion.lib.virginia.edu/thdl/texts/reprints/jbs/JBS_01_01_02.pdf.