Overview:

Changangkha Temple is a Buddhist monastery located in Thimphu, Bhutan. It was built in the 12th century by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, a renowned Drukpa lama. It serves as a monastery, a popular place of worship for many Bhutanese people and as a blessings provider for newborn babies. Due to its popularity, it has become one of the most famous temples in Bhutan. To get to Changangkha Temple, you must make use of a motor vehicle or walk up the steep inclined road. The temple is located at an elevation of 3,120m and is surrounded by mountain peaks. Changangkha Temple is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists belonging to the Drukpa order as well as the Nyingmapa order. Inside the temple, visitors can pray and make offerings at the main shrine, which is devoted to Chenrezig, the bodhisattva of compassion. There are also several other chapels in the temple complex, each dedicated to a different deity. The temple is known for being a “womb-house”, meaning that it is believed to be a site where newborn babies receive their astrological blessings. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Bhutan
Prominent Features:

1. The Changangkha Lhakhang (or temple) is located atop a hill in Thimphu, Bhutan, and is one of the oldest temples in the country. 2. It is believed to be over 900 years old, and is dedicated to the deity of Avalokitesvara. 3. The temple serves as a religious site and a pilgrimage spot for Bhutanese Buddhists, who come to pray for luck and protection. 4. Another significant feature of the Changangkha Lhakhang is the giant prayer wheel present in the courtyard, which is said to be bestowed with divine powers when spun. 5. The temple is also notable for its paintings on the temple walls, which depict the popular Bhutanese stories and Buddhist teachings. 6. The view of the entire Thimphu valley and the stunning Himalayan mountain range can be seen from the temple courtyard. This national monument of Bhutan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Changangkha Temple is one of the oldest and most renowned monasteries in Bhutan. Located in the Thimphu Valley, it is said to have been established in the 12th century by the famous Tibetan lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo. Over the centuries, it has grown and become one of the most important religious sites in Bhutan. Changangkha Temple is closely linked to the foundation of the country, since it was the home of the first Buddhist king of Bhutan who unified the region in 1616. The temple is dedicated to the Avalokiteshvara, the most important Buddhist deity in Bhutan and is believed to be a manifestation of compassion. It is also said to be the place where newborn babies are blessed with a name and good fortune. The golden image of the temple enshrines the statue of the future Buddha. The temple has several statues of deities and saints including Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.Several prayer flags adorn the walls of the temple and hundreds of visitors come to the temple to make offerings and receive blessings. Changangkha is an important religious site for both monks and lay people alike. Monks from all over Bhutan come to the temple to study and receive spiritual teachings. For the local people, it is a major pilgrimage site, with its annual summer festival attracting thousands of devotees from all over Bhutan. Changangkha Temple is also considered to be a source of strength. During difficult times, the Bhutanese people flock to the temple for prayers and protection. It is said that the temple guards the city of Thimphu and its people and is a symbol of peace and harmony. The temple is open to all visitors and provides a peaceful space for meditation and contemplation. The landscape around the temple is beautiful and the peaceful atmosphere make it an ideal place for spiritual reflection. You must visit one of these historical places in Bhutan on your Bhutan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Changangkha temple is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan and is believed to have been built during the 16th century. 2. The temple is dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion and patron saint of Bhutan. 3. The temple is home to a large statue of the 12th-century historical saint, Zhana. 4. The temple is located in the Trongsa Dzongkhag district in the central part of Bhutan. 5. It is believed that children born in Bhutan are blessed at the Changangkha temple within the first three months of their birth. 6. The temple is made of stone and wood and all the walls are decorated with paintings of various Tara deities. 7. Changangkha temple serves as the graveyard for royal family members of the Wangchuck dynasty. 8. The temple is situated high up on a hill and can be reached by climbing the 52 steps leading to the main shrine. 9. The temple grounds are open to the public throughout the day with a special blessing ceremony held every Saturday morning. Visit one of the famous monuments of Bhutan with your friends and family.