Jambay Lhakhang, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Jakar, Bhutan.
Jambay Lhakhang is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Jakar featuring ornate wooden structures and ancient murals depicting Buddhist teachings throughout its chambers. Prayer flags in rows encircle the main building, forming a defining visual element of the complex.
Construction of this monastery dates to 659 CE when King Songtsen Gampo built it as part of a larger building program. It was one of approximately 108 temples created across the Himalayan region during this period.
The monastery serves as the center of the Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival, where monks perform traditional dances and conduct religious ceremonies. The midnight Tercham dance held in autumn draws pilgrims who gather to participate in this important spiritual gathering.
The monastery is accessible via road connections from Thimphu or Paro, and guided tours allow visitors to explore the grounds thoroughly. Planning ahead is helpful, especially if you want to attend festival events.
Local beliefs hold that the monastery was positioned to pin down the left knee of a supernatural being opposing Buddhism. This use of architecture reveals how religious and mythological ideas shaped the choice of location.
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