Darchen Lhakhang

Darchen Lhakhang is located in Toetsho gewog under Trashi yangtse Dzongkhag about three hours walk from Tsenkharla road point at the altitude of 2600 m above sea level. It was established by Ani Chorten Zangmo, the daughter of Tertoen Pemaling in 12th century. When Ani Chorten Zangmo lived at Shakshing hamlet where the current shakshing lhakhang stand, Ani Chorten Zangmo went for an excursion to the hill top above the shakshing and she reached at the location where current Darchen Lhakhang stands. When she reached there, she mediated for some hours and in the middle of her meditation, she saw a ferocious leopard (གཟིག) roaring to her but she offered no alarm to the leopard and carry on the meditation. Meanwhile the fierce leopard vanish and then she saw a beautiful girl with the scarf (དར) offering to her and then she disappear. Then Ani reflected the instance as the noble sign and then build a small hermitage to do mediation and she named the hermit as Darchen (Dar: Scarf and Chen: Leopard) as interrelated to the incident Ani came across.

Then Later during the reign of Jangphu Dungpa during first king renovated the ruin hermit into the temple which we can see today. The main relic of the temple is a copper bowl (Therpo) believe to be the butter lamp of eternity (Kapai Marmi) found and excavated from the place where the present Lake (Phurpa Lha Tsho) positions which is few distance away on the north of Darchen Lhakhang. Beside the old and significant relics inside the temple one can also able witness many important Nyes along the mountain ridges. We can also grasp three magnificent lakes two in the north of the temple (Yab Karpo Tsho and Phurpa Lha Tsho) and one in the south of the temples (Yum Marpo Tsho). The current caretaker of the temple is Mr. Kabula from shakshing under Khamdang geog.

The temple is given access to all the modern amenities like mobile connectivity and electricity except road connection, the temple is well known across the eastern Bhutan because of its sacredness. 

Yum Marpo Lake

Shakshing Lhakhang on the way to Darchen Lhakhang

Darchen Lhakhang

Yab Karpo Lake

Kanjur Lhakhang on the way to Darchen

Ugyenling Lhakhang on the way to Darchen