Tachog Lhakhang or Tamchog temple is a 25-minutes drive from Paro International Airport. It is a private Lhakhang owned by decedents of Thangtong Gyalpo. It is on the way to Thimphu. It is located on the other side of Paro River on the hilltop. It is one of the sightseeing places in Paro. You can visit while driving to Thimphu. The name Tachog literally means ‘Temple of the Hill of the Excellent Horse’. It was built by Thangtong Gyalpo (1385-1464). He is aslo called as Iron bridge builder. The reincarnation of Thangtong Gyalpo, called Chakzampa Rimpoche, is residing in Bhutan.
Many tourists do visit the Lhakhang and the iron bridge, while travelling from Paro to Thimphu or vice versa.
Iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo was meditating here, he had a vision of the spiritual horse, Balaha, an emanation of Chenrezig Avalokiteshvara. He was inspired and he built the Lhakhang on the spot.
You can visit the lhakhang perched on the hilltop near Paro River. You can walk dowhill to the suspension bridge. You have to cross the bridge and walk for 10-15 minutes to reach the the Lhakhang.
Tachog or Tamchog Lhakhang is a private monastery run by the descendants of Thangtong Gyalpo known as the iron bridge builder. You can be guided by the caretaker of te Lhakhang for the tour inside the temple.
Tachog lhakhang conducts festival(Tsechu) annualy.
Inside the temple you can see statues of Lord Buddha, Zhabdrung, Guru Padmasambhava and Chenrezig Avalokiteshvara. Inside the temple you can find ancient books (Kangjur and Tenjur). You can see also a walking stick of Thangtong Gyalpo.
Outside you can see beautiful orange and apple trees. On the slopes you can see huge plantation of chillies. The place has huge iron-ore deposit. The soil colour is redish. Recently new restrauant and handicraft shop was established.
The iron bridge was built in 1420,which is years old. The iron bridge was washed away in 1969 due to flood. It was traditionally restored in 2005.
While driving from Paro or Thimphu you can visit the place. Mentioned below are listed sightseeing places in Paro district.
White river rafting in Paro River will be best if you want to experience the rafting in Bhutan. The Paro river flows from the higher himalayas to the Paro valley. The river will meet the other river from Thimphu at chuzom. It offers an exciting white water rafting.
You can start from Paro,Bondey and can reach the Iron bridge of Thangtong Gyalpo. You can find few warm-up rapids at the initial course of rafting and rough ones latter period of rafting. You can go further till Chuzom or see three stupas site.
Drive further from the Tachog Lhakhang towards Thimphu. You can stop at the at Chuzom. Meeting of two rivers Paro river (Pachu)and Thimphu River(Wangchu). You can see three different styles of stupas namely Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn the confluence.