Flanked by towering peaks on every side, deep in the Paro valley, lies the small town of Paro. The quaint town is built on the banks of the Paro Chhu, located in Bhutan’s south west. The region is accessible by plane but the airport is surrounded by high Himalayan peaks and strong winds. If the landing is not enough of an adventure, browse the ‘Adventure Retreat’ packages offered by Uma by COMO, Paro, Bhutan that will take you on guided tours into the mountains. The faint of heart may prefer to travel into town by road. The forty five minute drive from neighbouring Thimphu is scenic and enjoyable. In Paro, hotel choices are limited, so book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Bhutan’s oldest temple is located a short drive from Paro. The Kyichu Lhakhang temple is believed to be the most beautiful in the country and it is evidence of the first signs of Buddhism in the land. It was built in the seventh century by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. Legend states that the reason for building the temple was pin down the left foot of a giant demoness who was preventing the spread of Buddhism. He is thought to have magically cloned himself and constructed one temple at each of her joints, one hundred and eight in total, thereby pinning her to the ground and immobilizing her.
The main temple’s golden roof was constructed in 1839 by the 25th Je Khenpo along with other buildings on the premises that can be seen today.The inner courtyard carries a mural of King Gesar of Ling, the popular Tibetan warrior-king who wrote a poem that is said to be the world’s longest. The inner hall of the main Jowo Lhakhang contains an original seventh century statue of Jowo Sakyamuni. Before the statue are grooves worn into the floor, made by generations of worshippers who have visited to pay their respects. King Songtsen Gampo himself is present, in the upper left corner of the hall.
Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.