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Jambay Lhakhang Tour Guide with History, Importance, Festival

Jambay Lhakhang in Bhutan

One of the oldest temples in Bhutan is Jambay Lhakhang, which dates back to the 7th century AD and is located in the Jakar town of Bumthang Valley. According to legend, Tibetan King Songtan Gompo constructed Jambay Lhakhang, one of 108 temples known as Thadhul- Yangdhul (temples on and across the border), in a single day in 659 CE in order to apprehend an demonese who was impeding the spread of Buddhism. In Bhutan, two similar temples were constructed on the same day, Jambay Lhakhang being one of them.

Jambay Lhakhang Festival

The second is located in Paro, the Kyichu Lhakhang. Tourists from around the globe travel towards Jambay Lhakhang to witness Jambay Lhakhang Drup, one of the popular festivals in the hill nation of Bhutan. The highlighting feature of the festival is the fire ceremony named ‘Mewang’ and the religious dance known as ‘Tercham’. On the route to Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang is about 10 minutes from Chamkhar town. The Bhutanese attend the festival to watch it. They enjoy a picnic lunch in their traditional bamboo baskets that have been elegantly wrapped inside with a piece of cloth. They then stay all day at the festival site till it is over.

Jambay Lhakhang History and Importance

Around Jambay Lhakhang, numerous incredible legends have been created. In accordance with a tradition, Guru Padmasambhava paid a visit to the Jambay Lhakhang and was afterward restored by King Sindhu Raja, the ruler of the Iron Castle of Bumthang, in the eighth century AD, after the former had brought back his life power. Sindhu Raja, the monarch of Bumthang in the eighth century, invited Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan, to treat him for his illness. Guru Rinpoche found out that the King’s illness was caused by the local deities including the powerful Shelging Karpo. Finding the cause of the illness, Guru chased the deities into a cave, and Guru meditated inside the cave for three months and subdued all the deities.

The white-washed stoned walls of Jambay Lhakhang house some of the most astounding artifacts of the ancient era like the great wheel of life. The first king of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck Gongsa erected a great wheel of life called “Dus Kyi Khorlo” inside the temple which symbolizes the commemoration of his victory over rivals Punakha and Thimphu after the battle of Changlimithang in 1885.

The main deity of the monastery is the Maitreya Buddha of the future, also called Jowo Jampa, hence the name of the monastery. There are also over a hundred statues of the gods of Kalachakra built by the first king in 1887. Unraveling the secret behind all the statues and murals adorning the Jambay Lhakhang can be an experience of a lifetime.

Jambay Lhakhang, which is adorned with colorful prayer flags, has piqued the interest of tourists who are eager to learn more about the mystifying country of Bhutan thanks to its amazing legends and precious artifact. While visiting the scenically gifted valley of Bumthang in Bhutan, take part in the local culture by attending the well-known Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival, which is held to honor Guru Padmasambhava and to remember the construction of Jambay Lhakhang in the 7th century.

Best Time to Visit Jambay Lhakhang

Jambay Lhakhang welcomes visitors at any time of the year. However, October to November is considered to be the best time to visit when the vibrant Jambay Lhakhang Drup is mostly celebrated. Don’t wait, if you are already planning a trip to this Lhakhang and want to witness its vibrant festival, opt for any of our Bhutan packages.

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