Könchogsum Lhakhang དཀོན་མཆོག་གསུམ་ལྷ་ཁང་། — Attraction in Pedtsheling_Tamzhing

The Kenchosum Lhakhang/temple is an architectural wonder and one of the most beautiful temples in Bhutan being recently renovated after the disastrous fire from a butter lamp in 2010. Located just below the Tamzhing Lhakhang, the stunning Kenchosum Lhakhang is brightly painted with intricate murals and designs and bigger in size as compared to the traditional temples. In the 8th Century, on the advice of Guru Padmasambhava, the Tibetan King Thrisong Duetsen built this temple in the replica of the Samye Monastery of Tibet, the first Buddhist temple built in the world. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava himself designed and consecrated the temple. Over the years and centuries the temple amassed numerous relics and treasures, most of which were destroyed in the fire of 2010, and the ones that were saved are the prized treasures of the new temple. Apart from the many relics, the most significant ones are the three statues of the Past, Present and Future Buddhas; and a large broken bell that was offered by a mermaid to Guru Rinpoche. It is believed that when the bell is rung the sound can be heard all the way in...

Könchogsum Lhakhang,also known as Tsilung, is a Buddhist monastery in central Bhutan. The temple was founded, according to the saint Pema Lingpa as far back as the 8th century and in 1039, Bonpo Dragtshel, a tertön, discovered texts which had been buried by Padmasambhava in this location. According to legend, the king of the water deities was said to have risen out of the lake beneath the temple and offered Dragtshel a stone pillar and scroll.

This concept of a lake beneath the monastery is also reiterated in another legend in which Pema Lingpa is said to have discovered the subterranean lake and concealed the entrance to it with a stone, which stands today in the courtyard of the monastery. In February 2010 Könchogsum Lhakhang was severely damaged by fire and has since been rebuilt. The new temple and monastery was consecrated in...

Kenchogsum Lakhang was not our Itinerary but we were taken there by our Tour Guide during a recent trip to Bhutan. I believe we unearthed a hidden gem in Bumthang in Central Bhutan. The Kenchogsum Lakhang was one of the most beautiful Temples/Monasteries we saw....totally different from the rest, the colours used on works of art and the art itself was something else! Work is still in progress and we got to observe the artists at work, mixing colours from natural sources etc. The 8th century Monastery destroyed in a fire and now rebuilt is definitely worth a visit. If travelling/visiting in the winter months, visitors should not forget to take a pair of thick socks to wear once the footwear is removed to enter the Temple. The ground is extra cold, wondering if this could be because the temple is supposed to be built over an...