Bartsham Chadhor Lhakhang

Bartsham Chador Lhakhang got a very fascinating tales about famous thumb size replica of Chador (Varjapani). This is one of the very old and sacred monastery in Eatsern Bhutan, Trashigang. Chador Lhakhang is considered to be one of the most important and sacred monasteries in east Bhutan. This monastery was earlier known as Goemba Ringbu. It was renamed Chador Lhakhang after the precious treasure, a replica of Chana Dorji (Vajrapani), was brought there and kept in the temple. Later, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the great master of Jamyang Khyentse Norbu Rinpoche, gave the monastery a new name: Sangdag Gaypailing. The temple was originally built in the 12th century, but the present-day Chador Lhakhang was founded by Lama Pema Wangchen (or Lama Nagpo), a great disciple of Dudjom Rinpoche. He laid the foundation for the temple in 1977 and it was completed in 1986. This precious statue of Chana Dorji was a terma of the great treasure discoverer of Bhutan, Terton Pema Lingpa, who lived in the 15th century. It is believed that two statues of Chador Yabyum had been concealed as a hidden treasure (ter) in the Yutsho (turquoise lake) at Khar in Pema Gatshel, and were retrieved by Pema Lingpa. Later they were presented to the chieftain of Khardung, the Khardung Koche. (According to some other accounts, the statues were hidden by Pema Lingpa and found by the Khardung Koche. The statue’s reputation as a protective deity has spread far and wide, and people from all walks of life travel across the country to offer prayers and seek Chana Dorji’s blessings. It is believed to answer every prayer of the faithful devotee, and especially to protect against snake bites, cure leprosy and bless women with many children. We can visit here some villages and mingle with the local people, drink some local wine (ara).