Lhakhang Karpo
Lhakhang Karpo
4.5
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4.5
13 reviews
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BOOK BHUTAN TOUR
Thimphu, Bhutan505 contributions
Feb 2023
Lhakhang Karpo – Lhakang Karpo is located in Uesu Gewog under Haa in between three famous mountain Rigsum Goempo. Today it stands as tall as the fortress in Haa valley revered to Haa river. The temple is home to sacred images of Sangye Tshepamey and Ap Chhundu the main deity of Haa valley.
The temple also serves as Buddhist school and every yearly annual festival is held at the courtyard of the Lhakhang. Thousand of local people and tourists gather to witness the mask dance and local performances. If you drive through the evening the night view of the temple is absolutely stunning with all the lights on. Be mindful of the time the shrine remains closed between 12:00 -1:00 for a lunch break, otherwise free to walk in until 4 pm.
The temple also serves as Buddhist school and every yearly annual festival is held at the courtyard of the Lhakhang. Thousand of local people and tourists gather to witness the mask dance and local performances. If you drive through the evening the night view of the temple is absolutely stunning with all the lights on. Be mindful of the time the shrine remains closed between 12:00 -1:00 for a lunch break, otherwise free to walk in until 4 pm.
Written 16 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
White Mountain
Thimphu, Bhutan609 contributions
Sept 2020
Lhakhang Karpo is located on the foothills of Meri Puensum, the three towering mountains whose enormous size and mythical story will make its presence felt to anyone who visits the Lhakhang. According to legend, the current site of the temple was chosen by a white pigeon which was sent from Tibet by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gyembo (7th century) to look for a place to build 2 Temples. King Songtsen Gyembo is credited for introducing Buddhism to Tibet and he is believed to be a manifestation of the Buddha of Compassion (Avalokiteshvara) of whom the Dalai Lamas are similarly believed to be a manifestation of.
The architecture of the White Temple lives up to its name with the walls painted in all white color and the design of the temple is done in a way that it depicts the true essence of traditional architecture.
Currently the Temple serves as the official residence of the Haa monastic body so, during your visit one can enjoy an opportunity to exchange a few words with the monks and have photographs. Though it is restricted to visit the Lhakhang at night but the best view of the Temple can be seen at night when the Temple is lighted and with the backdrop of the mountains making it picturesque.
The architecture of the White Temple lives up to its name with the walls painted in all white color and the design of the temple is done in a way that it depicts the true essence of traditional architecture.
Currently the Temple serves as the official residence of the Haa monastic body so, during your visit one can enjoy an opportunity to exchange a few words with the monks and have photographs. Though it is restricted to visit the Lhakhang at night but the best view of the Temple can be seen at night when the Temple is lighted and with the backdrop of the mountains making it picturesque.
Written 2 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MPCLDC
New Jersey188 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
White Temple has an impressive history, it is spacious and quite well kept. The views are spectacular, as are the seemly countless prayer wheels. A short walk up a hill behind the White Temple is a basic small rustic Black Temple worth seeing.
Written 21 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tan SH
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia9 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
There were 2 temples with interesting history, the white and black temple. The black temple is located behind the white temple and you will need take a small hike up.
Written 9 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron S
New York City, NY5,927 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Lhakhang Karpo is a large monastery. We happened to get there during a local festival which was an unexpected bonus.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zeropeerpressure
Reggio Emilia, Italy34 contributions
Nov 2019
This is a huge temple that hosts the monk body as well as powerful temples. Hosts the yearly Tshechu and it is visited regularly by the locals. You can also sit by and simply watch people go by, you'll spend some interesting hours.
Written 7 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phedder
Invercargill, New Zealand711 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
A fantastic place to visit. Lots to look at as you walk around. The monks were happy to chat as you took photos. It was much larger than expected. You get nice views of it if you carry on up the back of it to the associated Black Temple.
Written 17 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DL2Some
Detroit Lakes, MN871 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
We arrived on a bright sunlit morning to find the monks sitting outside getting music lessons on the long horns and fifes. It was quite magical! The temple is newer than most and a very pleasant stop. We were also serenaded in the temple by a monk who was worshipping on his own.
Written 1 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R Goel
Pune, India538 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
It is a serene monastery with a sprawling compound in far off Haa valley. Like many other monasteries in Bhutan, this one too boasts of a royal hand in its establishment!
Written 4 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bucketlisttravellers
Sydney, Australia3,639 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
There are two temples in the Haa Valley – the white temple and the black temple. These temples are next to each other, with the white temple being the larger of the two, positioned in front of the black temple and accessible from the road. This temple has a lot of historical significance. We were getting temple fatigue by the time we got here, so we didn't find the temple itself that interesting. However what made this visit particularly memorable for us was our chance encounter with the King.
When our driver went to park out the front of the temple we were told not to park directly out the front as the King of Bhutan would be visiting that day. After we visited the temples we decided to wait across the road from the entrance to the White temple to get a glimpse of the King. After about half an hour of waiting a convoy of black SUVs arrived and the King emerged. He saw us and gave a nod in our direction before greeting the dignitaries that had lined up to meet him. He went into the temple for maybe 15 minutes and when he returned he saw us again and asked us if we were visiting and how we liked his country. We were absolutely thrilled to be acknowledged by the king and to have spoken to him. This was a very chance encounter as he happened to be visiting the area encouraging people to vote in the upcoming elections. We were overjoyed to have had this once in a lifetime experience.
When our driver went to park out the front of the temple we were told not to park directly out the front as the King of Bhutan would be visiting that day. After we visited the temples we decided to wait across the road from the entrance to the White temple to get a glimpse of the King. After about half an hour of waiting a convoy of black SUVs arrived and the King emerged. He saw us and gave a nod in our direction before greeting the dignitaries that had lined up to meet him. He went into the temple for maybe 15 minutes and when he returned he saw us again and asked us if we were visiting and how we liked his country. We were absolutely thrilled to be acknowledged by the king and to have spoken to him. This was a very chance encounter as he happened to be visiting the area encouraging people to vote in the upcoming elections. We were overjoyed to have had this once in a lifetime experience.
Written 22 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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