- Address: Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro, Bhutan
- Foundation date: 7th century
- Founder: Songtsen Gampo
- Working time: 24 hours
- Cost of visit: free of charge (as part of excursions)
In Bhutan, with Tibetan monasteries , many ancient legends are associated, according to which in ancient times the territory of Tibet and the Himalayas was under the domination of a giant demon. To keep him, the emperor Songtsen Gampo ordered the construction of several temples, one of which was Kychu-lakhang.
Architectural style and interior of the monastery
The monastery Kychu-lakhang has a quadrangular shape, each corner of which is oriented to the side of the world. The structure has four levels and is executed in the form of a chorten - a figure that personifies the victory of Buddhism over the forces of evil (that is, over the demon). In the courtyard of the monastery an alley is broken, along which the drums for prayers are set. They are the main reason why hundreds of pilgrims come to the monastery of Kyichu-lakhang in Bhutan every year. According to the Buddhist legend, each turn of this drum is equal to hundreds of prayers.
The interior of the monastery of Kichu-lakhang is decorated with many unique artifacts, among which:
- a statue of Giovo Jamba of the 7th century;
- a statue of Shabdrung;
- a statue of Guru Rinpoche;
- 8 figures of bodhisattvas;
- a statue of Chenrizig, which has 1000 hands and 11 heads;
- a vessel with the ashes of the revered Buddhist teacher Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, who was cremated in 1992.
During the lifetime of the monastery of the Kyichu-lakhang, it was visited by many famous and especially revered Buddhist saints. In the VIII century it was Guru Rinpoche, and after him Fago Dag Jigpo and Lam Kha Nga.
How to get there?
The monastery Kyichu-lakhang is located in the suburb of Paro about 55 km from the capital of Bhutan - the city of Thimphu . From here you can reach it only by car on the road Babesa-Thimphu Expressway. The road usually takes about 1.5 hours. Just 5 km from Kychi-lakhang there is another ancient Buddhist monastery - Dunze-lakhang . It is 9 minutes drive.
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