Kyichu Lhakhang: Bhutan’s Prettiest Temple
The world’s happiest country is not only blessed with gorgeous nature, beautiful mountains and friendly people, but it is also home to some amazing temples that are a storehouse of history, culture and creativity. One such temple is Kyichu Lhakhang, my favorite temple in Bhutan and one that I would like to call the prettiest temple in all of Bhutan.
This prettiest temple of Bhutan is decked in various hues of blues and captivates your attention right from the get go. Built in the 7th century, it is one of the oldest monasteries of Bhutan and over the course of its 1300 plus years of existence, it has been blessed by many saints and eminent personalities. It is believed to have been built overnight as a small temple, and its architecture is believed to have evolved over the last 1300 years to its current standing as an architectural marvel.
Its beauty begins even before you enter the temple premises. The pristine mountain landscape with the beautiful valleys below set the tone for a fabulous location. And then there are the two orange trees in the temple courtyard that bear fruit all through the year. And then there is the gorgeous blue of the temple, its 7th century statue of Jowo Sakyamuni, its statue of Chenrezig with 1000 arms and 11 heads, its beautiful wall frescoes and its colorful prayer wheels.
I would recommend this gorgeous blue temple in a heart beat. It would appeal to all kinds of people, whether their interests lie in nature, temples, art, culture or simply wanderlust. Kyichu Lhakhang is a place that ought to be in your Bhutanese holiday itinerary at all costs. May be, you could plan a holiday to the happiest nation and its oldest monastery this spring season. Let me know what you think of it.
How to get there:
Kyichu Lhakhang is about 10 kilometers from Paro and can be easily approached by car. The nearest airport would be Paro International airport. In case you are traveling from Thimphu, it is about 70 kms or a 90 minute drive.
The nearest place to stay, eat, drink and shop would be Paro. One can also opt to hike from Paro to Kyichu Lhakhang. The hike should take you about an hour or so and passes through some beautiful landscapes.
Temple timings: 9 am to 12 noon, 1 pm to 5 pm
