Golden roofs
Over white and red walls.
Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium — CC BY 2.0 · Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Prof Ranga Sai — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0
Jambay Lhakhang, the Temple of Maitreya, is an ancient temple in Jakar, Bumthang District, central Bhutan. It is said to be one of 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in a single day in 659. It lies about 3.1 km in a straight line from Jakar Dzong. Legend tells of a supine demoness blocking the spread of Buddhism, so temples were raised on her body across Tibet and Bhutan, the best known being the Jokhang in Lhasa, Kyichu in Paro and this one. The temple has been repaired and rebuilt several times. The temple's golden roofs and white and red walls stand among green lawns, with a white chorten in front, monastic buildings around and a large tree in the courtyard. It is famous for the Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival, held over five days each October with colourful masked dances. It is about 1.4 km from Kurjey Lhakhang, so the two combine easily. Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees, walk clockwise around the temple, and take no photos inside the halls. Most visitors to Bhutan pay a Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per person per night, and a licensed guide is required at dzongs and major temples.
Over white and red walls.
Before the temple.
Masked dances in October.
Jakar, Bumthang District, Bhutan
Each October, over five days.
Kurjey Lhakhang, about 1.4 km away.
