Taktsang Dzong

Bhutan's upper Paro valley is home to the revered Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist shrine known as Paro Taktsang (Paro Taktsang). One of the thirteen Tiger's Nest caves in ancient Tibet where Padmasambhava taught and practiced Vajrayana. Around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave, where Guru Padmasambhava pondered and practiced with followers like Yeshe Tsogyal before leaving the Tibetan monarchy in the early ninth century, a subsequent monastery complex was constructed in 1692. Bhutan's tutelary god, Padmasambhava, is credited with bringing Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan, which was formerly a part of Tibet. Of the thirteen taktsang, or "tiger lair", caves where he and his followers meditated, Paro Taktsang is currently the most well-known.

The Padmasambhava shrine, also known as Gu-ru mTshan-brgyad Lhakhang or "the Shrine of the Guru with Eight Names", alludes to Padmasambhava's Eight Manifestations. It is a beautiful building that Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye erected around the cave in 1692. It has evolved into Bhutan's national symbol. In the Paro valley, a well-liked event called the Tsechu is conducted in honor of Padmasambhava sometime in March or April. All adult visitors to Taktshang will be required to pay an admission charge of 2,000 Nu beginning on September 23, 2022, after the modification of Bhutan's visa policy in July 2022. Only Bhutanese will be permitted to visit Taktshang on certain dates designated on the Bhutanese lunar calendar under the same revision.

Location: Paro Valley, Paro District, Bhutan