Punakha

Toep Chandana Lhakhang, Punakha

The history of Toep Chandana Goenpa is one of the most important and fascinating stories preserved through generations by the local community elders.

One of the most remarkable features of Toep Chandana is its ancient heritage house, which still remains untouched and firmly upright with the family residing within. It is believed that the house continues to stand strong through the divine blessings of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the “Divine Madman.”

The folklore surrounding the Divine Madman is deeply significant and captivating. According to the sacred history associated with Toep Chandana, when Lama Drukpa Kuenley was in Tibet, in the village of Yumdrok, the principal deity Palden Lhamo appeared in his dream holding a flaming sword and instructed him to shoot an arrow toward the south to spread Buddhism.

As foretold in the prophecy, the arrow soared across the towering mountains of southern Tibet and the eastern Himalayas of Bhutan, eventually descending through the hillside and striking an old wooden ladder inside the house of Toep Tshewang in Thinleygang Village.

It is said that no one could remove the sacred arrow from the wooden ladder except Pelzang Bhuti, the wife of Toep Tshewang, who effortlessly lifted it with one hand. This symbolized her deep spiritual connection with the Divine Madman.

In search of the arrow, the Divine Madman later arrived at the house disguised as an old shaggy beggar, singing and teasing Toep Tshewang.

Toep Tshewang, unable to tolerate the beggar’s playful behavior near his beautiful wife, attempted to attack him with a sword. However, the Divine Madman caught the sword with his bare hands, seized a knife from nearby, and twisted the sword into a metal rope.

Realizing instantly that the beggar was no ordinary man but a powerful spiritual master, Toep Tshewang and his wife bowed before him and offered their respect and hospitality.

Today, even after more than 700 years, the ancient house of Toep Tshewang and Pelzang Bhuti in Chandana Village remains blessed and standing upright at the very place where the sacred arrow once struck. Visiting this historic site continues to offer a unique and meaningful cultural experience.

The temple also preserves some of the most sacred relics associated with the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kuenley, and Ngawang Chogyal, the brother of Drukpa Kuenley. It is believed that the temple radiates positive spiritual energy throughout the surrounding community.

Beside the temple stands the adjoining house of Toep Tshewang, where the family has faithfully cared for the shrine for nearly 15 generations. Remarkably, the original eleven-stepped wooden ladder struck by the sacred arrow is still preserved there today.