Dumgtseg Lhakhang — Attraction in Paro District

Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang | ཟླུམ་བརྩེགས་ལྷ་ཁང་། It is located 5 miles away from paro town. It was built by thangtong gyelpo in 1412. The Jangtse Duntseg Lhakhang has three floor representing hell. Earth and heaven. Dumtseg Lhakhang lies just out of Paro town, with the backdrop of a majestic hill. It is possibly the only ancient temple built in the shape of a chorten and is literally chained down since local belief holds that it will otherwise fly off to heaven!

Background

Dumtseg Lhakhang was constructed in 1412 by Thangtong Gyelpo who came to Bhutan in search of iron ore to be used for constructing bridges in his homeland Tibet. He was also known as Drubthob, "The Realized one" or Chazampa (Builders of Iron Bridges). At that time a demoness had risen from deep within the earth and was terrorizing the inhabitants of the valley. He built the temple in chorten form to overcome her, located on a small hill which was in reality her head.

A massive restoration effort was undertaken in 1841 under the order of 25th Je Khempo and paintings inside the temple were redone.

Interior

These paintings are possibly the most extraordinary collection in all of Bhutan. The Dumtseg lhakhang was conceived as a mandala with the three different levels of initiation. Ground Floor=The ground floor is dedicated to historical figures,bodhisattvas and other protective deities. Various representations of Avalokiteshvara and five Buddhas of Meditation are located in the inner sanctum.

First Floor=On the first floor are scenes from the Bardo (the intermediary stage between life and death) and also many forms of Mahakala, the main protective deity of the country. Images on the second and third floor belong to the highest tantric cycles and depict the main teachers of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage.

Top Floor=On the top floor do not miss the splendid lacquered wood image of the great twelfth century saint, Milarepa. You need to carry a torch and allow yourself a good hour to absorb the magnificent interior of...

Dungtse Lhakhang located just a few minutes walk from the Paro town is immersed with mythical stories of demons, spirits and malevolent snakes wreaking havoc in the valley and their subsequent subjugation by Thangtong Gyalpo, the Iron Bridge Builder also a renowned Buddhist saint, yogi, physician, blacksmith, architect, music composer and one of the most travelled person in the Himalayas.

The temple was built in 1421 by Thangtong Gyalpo to immobilize the demons haunting the valley and to suppress diseases that plagued the people especially leprosy. The 3 storied temple is conceived as a mandala and represents hell, earth and heaven. Many stories abound of and during its construction including the reason why its golden pinnacle (central tower) had to be chained to the ground as it attempted to fly away to Tibet.

The temple houses a massive collection of ancient murals, paintings and Buddhist iconography said to rival those of any Tibetan...

This is one of the most unique temples in Bhutan — built in the shape of a chorten (stupa), which is quite rare. The structure has three floors symbolizing hell, earth, and heaven, and each level is filled with fascinating murals and Buddhist iconography. What makes it even more interesting is the local practice: small stones are placed in rows to count how many circumambulations (koras) devotees have completed — and here, it’s clearly visible around the base. It’s a peaceful and special place, just a short walk from Paro town. Definitely worth stopping by if...