Description

Popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest, Paro Taktshang is a revered temple and monastery in beautiful Paro. The sacred structure is spectacularly situated 900 metres (2 955 feet) above sea level, at the edge of a cliff in the upper Paro Valley. The temple is cloaked in folklore and myth, illustrating the sacred tales of Guru Padmasambhava, the source of Buddhism in Bhutan. Legend has it that the Guru flew from Tibet on the the back of a mystical tigress and landed on the steep cliff to meditate in a cave. In the late 17th century, the monastery was constructed around the cave by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, who was universally believed to be the reincarnation of the Guru. Numerous miracles are associated with the monastery, such as sightings of mysterious flowers that appear in the air, only to disappear before touching the ground. The Guru has also been spotted both inside and outside the cave at the same time. The complex is open to visitors and the scenic hike to the temple takes around five hours. Travellers will pass through a dense forest and will emerge on the edge of a rocky chasm, where they will need to climb down to a trickling waterfall and then back up the cliff face to the monastery on the other side. Apart from its rich history, the spot boasts magnificent views over green valleys and mountain ranges.