Kurjey Lhakang is located in the Bumthang valley. A large, and important monastery or temple complex was named after Guru Rinpoche’s body printed on the rock. The first of three temples, the Guru Lhakhang is the oldest and is the highest site within the complex. Just below the arches is a figure of a snow lion sitting over it a Jachung, also call garuda.
The popular Kurjey Tsechu is hosted in June and includes a masked dance that dramatizes the defeat of Shelging Kharpo defeating the local demon. The main statue in this cemetery is again of the main statue flanked by his eight manifestations and 8 Chortens.
This is the final resting place of the remains of the first three Kings of Bhutan. the large tree behind one of the temples is believed to be a Terma that was left there by Padmasambhava.
The history of Kurjey Lhakhang is derived from the Guru Rimpoche’s imprint on the rock. The body literally means “Kur” and print means “Jey” of Guru Rinpoche, which is preserved in a very cave. it’s 2.5km from Chakhar Lhakhang.
The history of Kurjey Lhakhang starts with Sindhu King. Bumthang was ruled by Sindhu Raja. There was war with Nawchhe, which literally means Big nose. Sindhu Raja lost his son during the battle and the king was angry with local deities, which he trusted a lot. The King made up his mind to destroy all structures of local deities. “Shelging Karpo” the local deity stole the life force of Sindhuraja. Sindhuraja fell ill and could not recover from illness.
The final alternative was to call Guru Rimpoche. With help of the King’s attendants sought help to call Guru Rimpoche from Nepal during that time. He entered Bhutan through Nabji Korphu to Bumthang. Sindhuraja promised Guru Rimpoche anything if he could recover from Illness.
In return, Guru Rinpoche wants his daughter Moenmo Tashi Khuedron as his consort. “Shelging karpo” was hiding inside the cave. Finally, So he then asked Tashi Khuedron to fetch a pale of water in a copper vase. Tashi fetched water from the nearby area. Now it is called “Kurje Drupcchu”. Presently it is considered to be sacred water and it is believed to be holy fur curing illness. Bhutanese carry water from the area to many places because people are considered holy water.
Khuedron fetched the water for Guru to perform his spiritual power to subdue Shelging Karpo, who was hiding inside the cave. Guru Rimpoche made Shelging Karpo return the life force of King Sindhuraja. King was healed due to his magical and spiritual power.
The history of Kurjey Lhakhang relates to the cave where Guru Rimpoche or Padmasambhava meditated at the cave. He left a print of his body on the cave, where now the body imprint can be seen inside the first temple.
The first of the 3 temples, the Guru Lhakhang, is that the oldest and was in-built 1652 by Mingyur Tenpa once he was Penlop of Trongsa. tucked slightly below the overhang may be a figure of a snow lion with a Jachung (also known as garuda). It represents the notable struggle between Guru Rinpoche (appearing because of the garuda) and also the native demon, Shelging Kharpo (as the snow lion). The sculpture of Shelging Kharpo is found here.
The upper floor of the Kurjey Lhakhang is the holiest. The area covers one thousand tiny statues of Guru Rinpoche showing neatness lined up on the left wall, and statues of Guru Rinpoche, Pema Lingpa, and Drolma (Tara). Guru Rinpoche, flanked by his eight manifestations and eight Chortens. Hidden behind this image is that the meditation cave, wherever he left his body imprint. The way wall has pictures of Guru Rinpoche, his manifestations, his twenty-five disciples, and numerous alternative figures connected with the Guru. the massive coniferous tree behind the Lhakhang is claimed to possess up from the Guru’s walking stick.
Ugyen Wangchuck, the first king of Bhutan, designed the second temple, the Sampa Lhundrup Lhakhang, in 1900, once he was still Penlop of Trongsa. On the doorway construction area unit paintings of the Guardians of the Four Directions and of varied native deities. The white spiritual figure on the white horse higher than the threshold to the correct is Shelging Kharpo; additionally here the native protectors Yakdu Nagpo (on a black yak) and Kyebu Lungten (on a red horse) can be seen here. A smaller image of the Guru sits facing Tibet.
The third building within the advanced was designed by Ashi Kesang Wangchuck, queen to the third king, in 1984 underneath the steering of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. She additionally had the yard ahead of the 3 temples sealed with stones and designed a wall with 108 Chortens around the area. At the lowest, you’ll see a person being judged, with black and white stones representing his sensible and unhealthy deeds. there is a mystic spiral figure on the facet of the doorway. Interior murals illustrate numerous monastic rules and strict dress codes.
At the doorway to the lower-floor Sangay Lhakhang may be a tiny crawl-through rock passage; Bhutanese believe that in creep through a slim tunnel like this you’ll leave your sins behind. Behind the statues of the three Buddhas may be a secret passageway that’s aforementioned to possess once junction rectifier to Tharpaling.
Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, a brief distance south of the Kurjey Lhakhang compound, options a kitschy 3D depiction of the paradise of Guru Rinpoche.
A five-minute walk up the slope close to the doorway is that the Kurjey Drupchhu, a sacred spring wherever monks come back to clean their socks.
The popular Kurjey Tsechu is held every year during the month of July, which includes a covert dance that dramatizes Guru Rinpoche’s defeat of “Shelging Kharpo”. A big scroll of cloth “Thangka”, known as Guru Tshengye Thondrol, portraying the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, is unfurled within the early morning. People from different walks of life attend Kurjey Tsechu.
The best time to visit Kurjey Lhakhang is throughout the season. It is located in central Bhutan under Bumthang Valley. it is best to visit if you are traveling to Bhutan and have more days to stay in Bhutan. The best time to visit Bhutan and Bumthang will be during the early spring and Autumn seasons.