Early medieval · Buddhist · Bhutan

Kyichu Lhakhang

Paro, Paro · 27.4485°, 89.3705°

Jowo SakyamuniTibetan EmpireTibetan lhakhang
Sacred since
659 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
7th c. (trad. 659 CE); restored 1968
patron: Songtsen Gampo; restored by Queen Kesang Choden

History & significance

One of Bhutan's two oldest temples, held to be among 108 built in a single night by the Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo to pin down a demoness obstructing the dharma — Kyichu holds her left foot. Its inner Jowo image mirrors Lhasa's holiest; twin orange trees in the courtyard are said to fruit in every season.

Sthala katha — the legend

The supine demoness stretched across the whole Himalaya; only by fixing temples on her limbs — Lhasa's Jokhang at her heart, Kyichu at her left foot, Bumthang's Jambay at her knee — could the land be tamed for the Buddha's word.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Tibetan Empire