5/5 Dorji D. 1 year ago on Google
Kurjey
Lhakhang
Kurjey
Lhakhang,
is
one
of
the
most
holy
and
sacred
sites
in
Bhutan,
located
in
the
Bumthang
district.
Nestled
on
the
side
of
a
hill,
surrounded
by
108
chorten
walls,
the
complex
houses
three
revered
temples,
namely:
Guru
Lhakhang,
Sampa
Lhundrup
Lhakhang
and
Ka
Gon
Phor
Sum
Lhakhang.
The
structures
of
the
temples
are
as
magnificent
as
the
dzong,
ancient
fortresses
in
Bhutan.
It
has
white
washed
walls
with
delicate
wood
carvings
and
hand
paintings.
During
the
8th
Century,
Sendhu
Raja,
the
king
of
Bumthang
at
that
time,
fell
ill.
He
invited
Guru
Rinpoche
who
brought
Buddhism
to
Bhutan
to
cure
him.
Guru
Rinpoche
found
out
that
the
king’s
illness
was
caused
by
the
malevolent
actions
of
the
local
deities
including
the
powerful
Shelging
Karpo.
Having
found
the
cause
of
the
illness,
Guru
Rinpoche
chased
the
deities
into
a
cave,
and
meditated
inside
for
three
months.
Guru
Rinpoche
then
subdued
the
deities
including
the
powerful
Shelging
Karpo
and
left
his
body
imprint
inside
the
cave,
thus,
giving
the
name
Kurjey
(Body
Imprint).
Kur
means
body,
Jey
is
imprint
while
lhakhang
means
temple.
Beside
the
monastery
is
a
tall
cypress
tree
that
is
believed
to
have
sprouted
from
the
walking
stick
of
Guru
Rinpoche.
The
first
of
the
three
temples,
the
Guru
Lhakhang,
is
the
oldest
and
was
built
in
1652.
Tucked
just
below
the
caves
is
a
figure
of
a
snow
lion
with
a
jachung
(also
called
garuda)
above
it,
which
represents
the
famous
struggle
between
Guru
Rinpoche
(appearing
as
the
garuda)
and
the
local
demon,
Shelging
Kharpo
(as
the
snow
lion).
The
statue
of
Shelging
Kharpo
inside
the
temple
is
hidden
from
view.
At
the
entrance
to
the
lower-floor
of
Sangay
Lhakhang,
there
is
a
small
crawl-through
rock
passage.
Bhutanese
believe
that
by
crawling
through
the
narrow
tunnel,
you
will
leave
your
sins
behind.
Behind
the
statues
of
the
three
Buddhas
is
a
secret
passageway
that
is
said
to
have
once
led
to
Tharpaling.
The
second
temple,
the
Sampa
Lhundrup
Lhakhang,
was
built
by
Ugyen
Wangchuck,
the
first
king
of
Bhutan,
in
1990
when
he
was
still
penlop
of
Trongsa.
It
is
built
on
the
site
of
a
cave
containing
a
rock
with
the
imprint
of
Guru's
body
and
is
therefore
considered
the
most
holy.
The
third
temple
was
built
in
1984
by
Ashi
Kesang
Wangchuck,
the
Queen
Mother
(Queen
to
the
third
king
of
Bhutan)
under
the
guidance
of
Dilgo
Khyentse
Rinpoche.
The
temple
offers
a
spectacular
view
of
the
Bumthang
valleys.
From
Kurjey
Lhakhang,
you
can
also
explore
the
mesmerising
apple
orchards
and
dairy
farms
nearby.
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