PARO TAKTSANG
Taktsang Palphug Monastery, commonly known as Paro Taktsang is a Buddhist temple that clings on a cliff face, 3120 meters above sea level on the side of the Mountains in Paro valley. Paro valley is the heart of Bhutan; It is also the only district with an international airport terminal in Bhutan.
The Monastery is also one of the most renowned tourist destination of the country and also a cultural symbol of Bhutan. Visiting the Monastery offers a memorable experience with the views of marvelous hills and emerald environment-friendly valleys.
On April 19, 1998 a fire started in the Monastery which damaged the monastery entirely: the remote location made it even more difficult to access and the fire could not be controlled. No wonder, that when you are taking a look at the Taktsang Palphug monastery from Paro valley or from the bottom of the cliff, it appears virtually impossible to reach the Monastery. In fact, there are three paths that bring about the sanctuary.
The very first course is a trail going through the deep forest, adorned with prayer flags, signifying positive energy, vitality, and Good luck.
The various other two courses are traveling through the plateau, called “a hundred thousand fairies’ plateau.”
The polished architectural appearance of the monastery is shaped in the most profound practices of Buddhist. The complex structure has white buildings with golden roofing. Paro Taktsang consists of 4 major temples and also a number of dwellings for the monks.
All structures are adjoined by staircases with steps sculpted right into the rock. Nearly each and every single building of the monasteries has a terrace with a breathtaking view of the bordering Highlands. The important shrine of the monastery -the prayer wheel is located in the courtyard of the temple. Every early morning at 4 a.m. it is being revolved by monks to note the beginning of a new day.
The interior of the holy place excites with its lavish appeal: gold-plated dome as well as flickering lights that are illuminating gold idolizers. In the hall of Thousand Buddhas, which is sculpted right into the rock, a big statue of a tiger can be found. The tiger is valued as the icon of Paro Taktsang due to the legend, according to which the establishment of the Monastery was chosen by a Flying tigress (Dorji Drolo). The tigress flew on her back, one of the greatest masters of Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Padmasmabhava.
There are eight caves in the monastery; four of them are comparatively easy to access. The cave where Padmasmabhava is thought to have visited initially, on the back of the tiger, is referred to as “Tholu Phuk” cave and also the one where he meditates is known as the “Pel Phuk”. Buddhist practioneers, to this day, undergo for retreats in these caves and meditate in these caves for 3 years. They rarely see the nearby Paro valley.