Bhutan 09: Taktsang Monastery

Having been disappointed the day before with the unfavourable weather, the clear-cloudless-blue sky was a real treat to us and I welcomed it with wide open arms! Yes, we were going to Taktsang Monastery – the highlight of the trip.

We would horse-ride then walk / trek up to the cliff, 900m above the floor of Paro valley, where the monastery is located.

Taktsang Monastery is the most famous and striking monastery in Bhutan. Taktsang means ‘tiger’s nest’. Legend has it that the Guru (in the 8th century) flew to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress and hence its name.

The monastery was destroyed in April 1998 (the first fire happened in 1951). It was reconstructed in 2000 and authentic replicas of the original structures had been built.

No photographs are allowed, not just inside the buildings but from outside as well. In fact, we had to leave all our belongings, including camera at a small check-post just before the final steps up to the monastery.

As we started to leave the monastery, it started to rain. Shower of blessing? And hail stones were pelting on my face and raincoat as I approached the car park. Despite getting wet, I was more than happy and satisfied that we made it.

About 1-hour of horse riding up to
the rest area (with a small tea-house where
drinks and biscuits were served) before
walking / trekking all the way to the monastery.