History:

is one of the oldest and most significant sacred and spiritual sites in Bhutan. The Monastery is located in the Phobjikha Valley, and serves as an important centre of pilgrimage for Bhutanese Buddhists. Over the centuries, it has been home to some of the most renowned spiritual teachers in Bhutan such as the 5th Desi Drukpa Kuenley (1455 - 1529). Every year during the winter months, hundreds of Buddhist pilgrims from the country come to pay their respects to the resident monks and to receive their blessing. Inside the temple lies a 7 m long statue of Guru Rinpoche, considered to be the founder of Buddhism in Bhutan. The monastery is also home to numerous historical relics and artifacts related to the Drukpa Kagyud School of Bhutanese Buddhism. The entire complex is surrounded by a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere, said to promote inner peace and spiritual attunement with the divine. It is one of the best temple in Bhutan which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Gangteng Monastery, also known as Gangtey Goemba is one of the main temples of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in Bhutan. 2. It is located in Phobjikha valley, in Wangdue Phodrang district, and is the seat of the gangteng tulku, the Pema Lingpa line of reincarnate lamas. 3. Gangteng Monastery was founded by Pema Lingpa between 1473 and 1523 and is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. 4. It is the most important and biggest Nyingmapa temple in western Bhutan and it houses rare ancient Buddhist relics. 5. Gangteng Monastery is one of Bhutan's most sacred sites and an important part of the natural and cultural heritage of Bhutan. 6. The temple is well known for its annual festival which takes place in February and draws large crowds of worshippers from across Bhutan. 7. Gangteng Monastery is also home to more than 500 lamas. Here are some facts about the Bhutan temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Bhutan

Worship Method:

The Gangteng Monastery in Phobjikha, Bhutan is home to the important religious practice of Ngondro – a syllabus of setting attitudes, prayers, and mantra recitations. This practice of Ngondro helps practitioners to become “fully aware” and enlightened beings who will attain Buddhahood. Therefore this spiritual practice culminates in a direct experience of the divine. The ngondro rites generally start with four preliminary practices: gaining refuge (showing reverence to the Buddhist deities), generating bodhicitta (an altruistic intent to become enlightened for the benefit of all beings), mandala offerings (visualizing the universe and offering it spiritual gifts such as love and compassion), and Vajrasattva purification (purifying one’s negative karma). At the Gangteng Monastery, practitioners sit in front of Buddhist visual aids such as statues, scriptures, and pictures of the deity Chenrezig, or the “benevolent one.” They focus on these visual aids while they meditate, chant mantras, make offerings, and prostrate. The practice at Gangteng Monastery also includes the recitation of the 7 Line Prayer, which extols the qualities of Chenrezig and encourages the practitioner to cultivate love, compassion, and joy. Additional prayers and mantras to Chenrezig and other deities are also practiced, and practitioner’s make offerings of food, water, incense, and even colored sand. These activities are part of a general approach to cultivating spiritual awareness, and practitioners generally spend hours or even days practicing them in order to reach deeper insight and understanding. As such, an important part of the practice at Gangteng Monastery is patience, as practitioners are encouraged to take their time and gradually explore their inner realms. It is this focused, and committed practice that leads toward enlightenment and Buddhahood. This most visited temple in Bhutan

Opening Timing:

The Gangteng Monastery is open to visitors from 8.00am to 5.00pm during the winter months, and from 6.00am to 7.00pm during the summer months. top temples in Bhutan

How to reach:

Gangteng Monastery in Phobjikha, Bhutan is located in the Wangduephodrang district, about 3 hours drive from Thimphu, the country's capital. The best way to reach Gangteng Monastery is to take a flight to Paro International Airport, which is the only international airport in Bhutan. From Paro, visitors can hire a taxi or take a bus to Phobjikha. The monastery is about 30 minutes drive from Phobjikha. famous temples in Bhutan