Geographical LocationChhoekhor valley, Bumthang district
Description
The temple is a two-storey structure which looks like a house but with the red band and a row of prayer-wheels is above the village also called Zhabthang in the upper Chhoekhor valley and the Chhoekhor Toe Primary school. A motorable road passes not far from the site.
History
In the 8th century Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated at Zhabjethang and left several imprints in the rocks which are highly venerated relics. Hence the name of the place “The plain of the Footprint”.
The date of the foundation of the present structure is so far not documented but it might have been in the 19th century. However some kind of religious structure existed as at the end of the 17th century Zhabjethang was visited by the great Drukpa Kagyupa master Jamgön Ngawang Gyeltshen (1647-1742). Around 1840, it was visited by Changchub Tsöngrü (1817-1856), the Tibetan religious figure who became the lama of Jigme Namgyal, the Trongsa Penlop and father of the first King.
Architectural style / school & Related art works
A beautiful statue of Padmasambhava/ Guru Rinpoche is the main treasure. At the bottom floor in a small chamber is a rock bearing the foot prints of Guru Rimpoche & his consort Menmo Tashi Kheudroen, the daughter of King Sendarkha of Bumthang whose life was saved by Guru Rinpoche.
The temple also has a fine painting of the 12th century Tibetan saint Milarepa, probably done in the late 19th century.
Social cultural function
The temple is looked after by a monk who performs the rituals for the community.
It is a place of pilgrimage for many Bhutanese.
On the festival Chaw Dhugpa on the 29th day of the 10th Bhutanese month, Zhabjethang as well as the neighbouring villages of Chhoekhor Toe participate in a fire fighting competition and religious dances are performed.
Zhabjethang village is one of the Bumthang villages selected for homestays and close to the Wangchuck Centennial Park and the GNH centre.
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Zhabjethang Lhakhang
Description
The temple is a two-storey structure which looks like a house but with the red band and a row of prayer-wheels is above the village also called Zhabthang in the upper Chhoekhor valley and the Chhoekhor Toe Primary school. A motorable road passes not far from the site.
History
In the 8th century Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated at Zhabjethang and left several imprints in the rocks which are highly venerated relics. Hence the name of the place “The plain of the Footprint”.
The date of the foundation of the present structure is so far not documented but it might have been in the 19th century. However some kind of religious structure existed as at the end of the 17th century Zhabjethang was visited by the great Drukpa Kagyupa master Jamgön Ngawang Gyeltshen (1647-1742). Around 1840, it was visited by Changchub Tsöngrü (1817-1856), the Tibetan religious figure who became the lama of Jigme Namgyal, the Trongsa Penlop and father of the first King.
Architectural style / school & Related art works
A beautiful statue of Padmasambhava/ Guru Rinpoche is the main treasure. At the bottom floor in a small chamber is a rock bearing the foot prints of Guru Rimpoche & his consort Menmo Tashi Kheudroen, the daughter of King Sendarkha of Bumthang whose life was saved by Guru Rinpoche.
The temple also has a fine painting of the 12th century Tibetan saint Milarepa, probably done in the late 19th century.
Social cultural function
The temple is looked after by a monk who performs the rituals for the community.
It is a place of pilgrimage for many Bhutanese.
On the festival Chaw Dhugpa on the 29th day of the 10th Bhutanese month, Zhabjethang as well as the neighbouring villages of Chhoekhor Toe participate in a fire fighting competition and religious dances are performed.
Zhabjethang village is one of the Bumthang villages selected for homestays and close to the Wangchuck Centennial Park and the GNH centre.