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Legend of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery

About the Tiger’s Nest Trek

Inside the Tiger’s Nest

Best Time To Visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery

How To Reach Tiger’s Nest Bhutan?

Tips For Hiking To Tiger’s Nest Bhutan

Guide To Tiger’s Nest: Exploring The Cultural Landmark Of Bhutan

Q: How do I get to Tiger’s Nest Monastery?

To reach Tiger’s Nest Monastery, visitors typically fly into Paro International Airport in Bhutan. From there, they can hire a taxi or arrange transportation to the trailhead, which is located a short distance away from the airport.

Q: Is it necessary to book in advance to visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery?

While it’s not mandatory to book in advance, it’s advisable to plan your visit ahead of time, especially during peak tourist seasons. Booking in advance ensures that you secure a spot for the hike and any necessary permits or guided tours.

Q: Are there any restrictions or guidelines for visiting Tiger’s Nest Monastery?

Yes, there are some guidelines to follow when visiting Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Visitors are required to dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering the monastery. Photography is restricted inside the temple halls to maintain the sanctity of the place. It’s also important to respect the local customs and traditions while exploring the monastery.

Q: What should I expect during the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery?

The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a challenging but rewarding experience. The trail is steep and includes uphill climbs and stairs carved into the rocky cliffs. Along the way, you’ll encounter scenic viewpoints and rest stops where you can catch your breath and enjoy the views. The hike typically takes about 3 to 5 hours each way, depending on your pace and fitness level. Overall, expect a memorable and awe-inspiring journey to one of Bhutan’s most iconic landmarks.

Search Bhutan online and the very 1st image that will appear is of the majestic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The Tiger’s Nest has become a cultural symbol of Bhutan, making it an essential part of the many Bhutan Tour Packages.

Perched dramatically over the face of a vertical cliff, the Tiger’s Nest was built 2600 feet above the valley and is located 9,700 feet above sea level. Even if a person is visiting Bhutan just for a few days, they make sure to visit this iconic Tiger’s Nest temple in Bhutan, because of the sheer beauty it holds. Its convenient location near one of the international airports in Bhutan, also makes it one of the most visited places in Bhutan.

Before we know more about the Tiger’s Nest, let me tell you that this monastery is also popular by several other names which we will be using throughout this blog. Here’s a list of the alternative names for Tiger’s Nest:

Paro Taktsang
Taktsang Monastery
Taktsang Palphug Monastery
Copper-Colored Mountain Paradise of Padmasambhava
Temple of the Guru with Eight Names

Legend of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery

According to the Buddhist mythologies, there are 13 Taktsang in Bhutan and Tibet and the Paro Taktsang is the most revered one. These 13 Taktsang are the places where Guru Rinpoche flew on a tigress and meditated with his students. “Tak” means tiger and “Tsang” means nest, thus the name “Taktsang” means the Tiger’s Nest.

According to the legends surrounding the Taktsang Monastery, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest,” it is believed that Guru Rinpoche, also known as Guru Padmasambhava, flew to this sacred location on the back of a tigress. This was the site where he tamed the tigress as it was originally a devil who had transformed itself into a tigress.

Another version of the legend suggests that a former wife of an emperor willing became a follower of Guru Rinpoche and transformed into a tigress to carry Guru Rinpoche from Tibet to the present site of the monastery in Bhutan.

In either account, Guru Rinpoche meditated in the caves of Taktsang Monastery Bhutan in eight incarnated forms, thus adding to the spiritual importance of the Tiger’s Nest. It is the Paro Taktsang that enlightened the Guru to preach Buddhism to the Bhutanese people after meditating at this place for 3 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days and 3 hours.

In the later years, many monks, followers, and students of Guru Rinpoche went to the caves in which today’s Tiger’s Nest is located to meditate. This further added to the spiritual aura of these mystical caves.

In 1692, Tenzin Rabgye built the 1st monastery here. Legends claim that Tenzin Rabgye was a reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava himself. Several miraculous events are attributed to him, such as being seen simultaneously inside and outside his cave, the ability to feed all visitors with a small amount of food, and ensuring the safety of worshippers despite the difficult approach to the monastery.

Additionally, witnesses reported seeing various animal forms and religious symbols in the sky over the Paro Valley in Bhutan, including showers of flowers that appeared and disappeared without touching the ground. These mystical occurrences further cemented the belief in the divine nature of the Taktsang Monastery and its connection to Guru Rinpoche.

Overall, the legends surrounding Taktsang Monastery are rich with tales of divine intervention, miraculous events, and the spiritual significance of this sacred site in Bhutan.