🙏 Jambay Lhakhang
Bhutan
About This Sacred Site
Jambay Lhakhang in the Bumthang Valley is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, believed to have been built in 659 CE by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo as part of a network of 108 temples constructed to pin down a giant demoness. The temple is dedicated to Jamba (Maitreya, the future Buddha) and contains ancient sacred relics and images. It is most famous for its annual Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival, which features the spectacular naked fire dance (Mewang and Tercham), where monks dance through flames in the dark to bless infertile women.
Key Facts
- •Built in 659 CE by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo as part of a network of 108 temples
- •One of the oldest temples in Bhutan, predating the arrival of Guru Rinpoche
- •Famous for its annual naked fire dance performed by monks to bless the infertile
- •Contains ancient relics and images of Jamba (Maitreya Buddha)
- •Part of a legendary network of temples said to pin down a giant demoness
Location
Coordinates: 27.5803, 90.7336
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