Kitchu Temple Lhakhang, Paro

Kyichu Lhakhang is located in the north of Paro town about 5km away. It is considered to be the sacred Jewel of Bhutan. The temple was established by the Buddhist King Songstsen Gampo of Tibet to spread the Buddhism. Kyichu Lhakhang was among the 12 temples out of the 108 temples that had been constructed in seventeenth century. The temple’s construction was done overnight. Kyichu Lhakhang was visited by many Buddhist saints.

 In the 8th century, Guru Padmasambhava was believed to have visited the Kyichu Lhakhang and hidden many treasures in the temple. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal took over the temple in 1674. The temple was reconstructed by the 25th Je Khenpo Sherab Gyaltshen. In 1968, a new structure of the temple was built and named Guru Lhakang. The extension of the temple was made by the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck.

What you can find in Kyichu Lhakhang

 Kyichu Lhakang has statue of Jowo Jamba of 7th century. The statue is one of the greatest treasure of the valley. There is also another statue of Chenrezig outside the shrine that has 1000arms and 11 heads. There is the wooden floor that has grooves worn by the generations of prostrators. The main entrance door is coated with gold. Kyichu Lhakhang holds ancient relics and the floor of the main temple constructed with wood decorated with turquoise and other precious stones and gems.

The structure next to Kyichu Lhakhang is the Guru Lhakhang which consists of Kurukulla and 5-meter high statue of Guru Rinpoche holding an arrow made of flowers and a bow. On the outside of the temple, there are two orange trees that bear fruits throughout the year