Chador Lhakhang is a sacred Lhakhang in eastern Bhutan that houses the thumb-size replica of the Chador Statue discovered from Yuetsho Lake. The Lhakhang is located in Nangar-tsho of Bartsham Gewog under Trashigang Dzongkhag at 2900 meters above sea level.
Bartsham Chador Lhakhang is said to grant wishes, guard against snake bites, heal leprosy, and bestow women with children. The Lhakhang is a Kay-lha Yue-lha of Tashyang-tsho, Nangar-tsho, Dzongthung, and Muktangkhar communities.
Under the patronage of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, a new Lhakhang was constructed in 2006 and completed in 2019.
How to Reach Bartsham Chador Lhakhang
Chador Lhakhang is located in Nangartsho, Bartsham village under Trashigang Dzongkhag. Bartsham Lhakhang is 25 kilometers from Trashigang town and takes one and a half hours to get there.
Sacred Wonders to see at Chador Lhakhang
- Meme Chador (Vajrapani);
- Statue of Guru Rinpoche;
- Seldap Tshechu;
- Debri of Gyeltshen Due Zhi, Jang Namthay Sey, Kagong Phur Sum, Lho Phak Kadpo, Nup Chen Mizang, and Shar Yue Khor Sung on the west wall;
- Gongdu Lhatsho, Kajyud, and Phurpa on its east wall.
Historical Significance of Chador Lhakhang
Chador Lhakhang is one of the sacred Lhakhangs in Bhutan due to the main relic, the Chador Statue in the Lhakhang. According to legend, the revered statue of Chana Dorji was discovered by Pema Lingpa from a lake in Pemagatshel as a sacred Terma in the 15th century and later presented to Khardung Gyalpo of Khardung Khoche.
Another oral history has it that Chador Yab-Yum statues were hidden as a treasure in the Yutsho (turquoise–colored lake) at Khar in Pemagatshel. Later, Khardung Gyalpo got the statue from the lake as a natural gift from the mermaid.
Since then, the statue has become the main relic in the Palace of Khardung Gyalpo. When one of Khardung Gyalpo’s sons married a daughter of Yangkhar Khoche of Bartsham, Gyalpo granted his son the statue of Chador as a share of his wealth. So, the statue of Chador made its way to Bartsham.
Description of Bartsham Chador Lhakhang
Bartsham Chador Lhakhang was first built in the 12th century. The temple was extended in 1938. In 1960, renovations took place, which were completed in 1966. The Lhakhang was called Goemba Ringbu. Later, it was renamed Bartsham Chador Lhakhang after the statue of Meme Chador was brought as the main relic of the Lhakhang from Pemagatshel.
The Chador Lhakhang was founded by Lama Pema Wangchen, or Lam Nagpo, one of Dudjom Rinpoche’s disciples. Lam Pema constructed the Lhakhang in 1977 and completed it in 1986.
Later, the Lhakhang was renamed Sangdag Gaypailing Lhakhang or Sangag Thegchog Choeling Lhakhang by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. After the death of Lam Pema Wangchen, Chador Lhakhang was taken over by Lam Kunzang Wangdi, a disciple of Lama Nagpo.
In 2006, a new Chador Lhakhang was built under the sponsorship of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse to accommodate ritual ceremonies and the growing number of visitors. Lam Kunzang Wangdi oversaw the construction. The Lhakhang construction was supported by the people of Bartsham Bartsham Dratshang, and the government and was completed in 2019.
Today, the Lhakhang is headed by Lam Ugyen Namdrel and provides religious education for the monks from various villages of Bartsham Gewog.
Bartsham Sangdag Gaypailing Lhakhang
Chador Lhakhang is a two-storied temple built with stone masonry and has a whitewashed exterior wall with a wide band of red Kheymar surrounding the Lhakhang. The three-tier Parop Rabsel adorns the south and west faces of the Lhakhang, as well as the other two sides of the Lhakhang. Chador Lhakhang also has a roof with three-storied Jabzhi and a Sertog on top of it.
You can enter the ground floor through an entrance on the west side of the Lhakhang. An entry lobby on the ground floor leads to three rooms, most of which are used as Chamkhang and mask storage areas.
A wooden ladder on the west leads to the first floor of the Lhakhang which has a lobby and caretaker’s room. The main Lhakhang which houses the sacred statues and intricate wall paintings is right beside the caretaker’s room. The main statue of the Chador Lhakhang is Chador, commonly called Meme Chador brought from the Palace of Khardung Gyalpo in Pemagatshel. Chador Lhakhang also has a statue of Guru Rinpoche.
Also Read: Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites
The inner west walls of the Lhakhang consist of Debri of Gyeltshen Due Zhi, Jang Namthay Sey, Kagong Phur Sum, Lho Phak Kadpo, Nup Chen Mizang, and Shar Yue Khor Sung while the east inner wall has Gongdu Lhatsho, Kajyud, and Phurpa.
Chador Lhakhang Festival
Seldap Tshechu is the most significant of the religious festivals held in Bartsham Chador Lhakhang. Soldeb Tshechu is the oldest Tshechu, conducted from the 13th to the 15th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar. The Bartsham community funds this three-day festival.
Best Time to Visit Bartsham Chador Lhakhang
Due to the Chador statue’s well-known status as a protective deity, people travel there to pray and ask for favors. The best time would be during Seldap Tshechu which is conducted from the 13th to the 15th day of the 10th month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar. You can witness the 3-day festival of masked dances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of Chador Lhakhang?
According to the Lhakhang’s history, Chador Lhakhang was first built in the 12th century and was called Goemba Ringbu. Later, it was renamed Chador Lhakhang due to the main relic, Meme Chador Statue. The present Lhakhang was established in 1986 by Lam Pema Wangchen.
What does the Chador represent?
Chador or Chana Dorji (Vajrapani) represents one of Lord Buddha’s earliest three protective deities or bodhisattvas.
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