Mystical Taktshang monastery

Hiking up the Taktsang Monastery is one of the memorable and most enriching experience for almost all the tourists. It has also created the same impact to the Bhutanese.

This Buddhist complex clings to a cliff, 312 meters above the sea level. The Taktshang monastery is one of the most visited sites and longing destination of the tourists. The cultural significance of this country is being embedded in this iconic representation.  

The pleasure of visiting this place gives you unforgetable experiences to our mind. This isolated monastery holds the mysterious legends of Buddhism and its propagation in the land of Thunder Gragon.

The Taktshang monastery broke into a fire on April 19, 1998 which burnt down completely. As located in the difficult location the technical support to contain the fire is impossible.  

The path to the monastery takes through the rugged terrain whereby the stiff path makes few tourists take a mule ride. The mule ride business is a good earning business for the people of Tsento Gewog.

The trail to the Taktshang takes you through fine blue pine forest. On the way we can see many prayers flags hoisted at different locations.

The history has it that Guru Padmasambahva flew to this location on a flying tigress. Guru then performed meditation for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours (which is equal to saying of Lo-Sum-Cho-Sum).

Following Guru Padmasambahva’s meditation, many other Buddhist saints came to meditate in this place like Milarepa(1040–1123, Pha Dampa Sangye , Machig Labdron (1055–1145), and Thangtong Gyelpo (1385–1464).

 

A gate to Cafeteria

The trail starts from a road end point at Ramthangka. For those who are walking for the first time can avail walking stick by paying certain amount of money to the local vendors. At first sight after strode little into the blue pines, you will encounter a water powered prayer wheel. The water that passes through this prayer wheel is said to receive blessing and one can consume as a holy water to cleanse our sins and obscuration the path to enlightenment.

A walk would be more of a fun if followed a mule track which is an affordable sloppy trail. After certain distance, which marks the half way to the monastery is located, a prayer wheel surrounded by many prayer flags fluttering in the deep air, sending all sentient beings blessings will be reached.

 

A prayer wheel with many prayer flags hoisted around

On little ascends, while drawing near the destination, we can feel little cool and sense of accomplishment, that joy is created by the emerging glory of the Taktshang Monastery located in the middle of the cliff. From far it seems inaccessible but the steps taking to the monastery’s gate redefines our lost energy.  The steps to the monastery from the sight point is deep narrow and one has to walk down and climb up the steps. Down the deep narrow steps is located an amazing water fall, where many gets photographed with this scenic backdrop. Water falls from a high distanced cliff providing a best excitement and joy of its pattern created by the fall. The rhythm of the resounding water fall also plays a good music to the ear.

The monastery contains many temples and caves where Guru Rinpoche Meditated. The four main temples of the monastery complex is built around many significant caves. These temples host many important statues which are blessed by many great Lamas. The temples rest miraculously on the rocky cliffs which is not affordable from any point than the path created for the visitors.

A beautiful waterfall on the way

There are many other important sites to visit too. Explore the corners and get facts about it.

Happy adventure!