Places of interest around Haa Valley

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Haa Gompa

The ancient Haa Gompa is built a little further up the famous Lhakhang Nagpo in the Haa valley. Legends say that a bodhisattva disguised in the form of a pigeon lured local farmers to the auspicious site (meant for construction of Gompa) by emitting unearthly sounds and conjuring up visions of fires and trumpets.

The White and the Black temples

The twin temples of Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Ngapo stand at the base of the stunning Meri Phuensum mountains or the three brothers mountains who are symbolic of the 3 protectors of the valley; Vajrapani, Manjushri and Avaloketeshwara. Near the temples there is a sacred Chorten which contains a highly-revered imprint of Guru Padmasambhava’s hat and body.

Lhakhang Karpo

The Lhakang Karbo is popularly known as the white temple and it is a popular seat for embodying the true Buddhist values of kindness and Dharma. Life at Lhakhang Karpo is believed to be a gentle passage to the liberating realm of death. This temple was built in 7th century during the reign of Emperor Songstan Gampo.

Has Samarpudung

There is an old bridge connecting the Haa Valley to the Samarpudung valley and it is called the Has Samarpudung. This bridge denotes ancient Bhutanese engineering principles and is supposed to possess magical powers. Below the bridge is a lake which is known as the lake of the Wishing cow. Locals say that the stone udders of the cow can still be seen under the clear waters of the lake.

Gyechu Lhakhang

This Lhakhang has strong tantric connections and is dedicated for the appeasement of Apu Chunndu/ Chungdue who is the dominating guardian of the Haa Valley. Chungdue is a vicious deity who is believed to have caused earthquakes, landslides, cyclones, meteor storms, rocks which split apart and other disasters.