TAKTSHANG MONASTERY
One who thinks about Buddhist architecture, the Buddhist Monastery or the ‘Pagoda’ is usually one of the first things that appear in the mind. One of the most important and also most intruiging Buddhist building is located in the country called Bhutan and is called Taktshang. It’s a monastery that’s located on one of the most fascinating spots in the world. It’s located at the edge of a steep mountain cliff and is situated at the height of over 2300 feet. Also referred to as the “Tiger’s Nest”, the Taktsang Monastery is a treat for the eyes of a huge number of tourists and visitors (pilgrims) every year. The legend behind the sacred landmark’s history narrates that back in the 7th century (some sources quote the time as the 8th century) Guru Rimpoche fled from Tibet, China. In his pursuit of finding a recluse, he flew over the grand Himalaya sitting on the back of a tigress. Upon reaching the shrine’s present day location, the Guru meditated for round about 90 days in a cave.
The Monastery was built in the year 1692 and is also considered as one of the most holy and religious places that are located in Bhutan.
The very word Taktshang has its meaning known as “Tigers Nest” certainly does have a curious legend behind it that does explain the real reason why and how did these series of thirteen hanging caves were given such an interesting name.
Today you can visit all the temples of the Taktshang Monastery standing at an altitude of 10,200 feet. However, prior to the ascending the slope on mule-back or foot, as a non-Bhutanese you require a special permit and a guide for the venture. Once you begin the trek, you can experience the close touch of nature in the woodland leading to the ascending slope with interspersing sound of a bell. However, if you are not used to walking for rough stretches on mountainous paths, you will do best to take a horse or a mule.
The original construction of the Tigers Nest Monastery has an equally interesting tale behind it. It is said that notwithstanding the sheer cliff face where Guru Rinpoche decided to land, the air-borne dakinis bore building material on their backs to facilitatethe construction process. It remained a place of worship for the people and stood sturdily through the fire damages of April 19, 1998.
The Bhutan government took extensive steps to restore it in its original glory by referring back to ancient pictures and other testimonials. It took years of toil and perseverance until the renovation was completed in 2005.
What is remarkable about Taktshang is the variation of the four temples that appear different from one another. One of these is fabled to be the famous spot for the three-month meditation of Guru Rinpoche and the birthplace of one of the leading lamas. You must rest sufficiently and save some energy for the journey back. If you had covered the monastery -wards journey on foot, the second half of it can get particularly fatiguing.
The Taktsang Monastery hosts a spectacular construction and design that leave its viewers mesmerized and in a trance. Located in the vicinity of Paro Valley (Western Bhutan), the trip to Taktsang Monastery would be a meager 20 minutes if your car could ride all the way to the top. However, that is not the case. In order to get to the monastery, visitors and pilgrims must park their cars in the parking lot located at the base of the cliff.
The ascend to the temple’s entrance is approximately 900 meters above the valley and can take anywhere from 2 – 3 hours depending on how many “view points” you stop at during the hike.
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