| Name: | Taag Rimochen Lhakhang |
|---|---|
| Identity: | Lhakhang |
| Level: | Registered Heritage Building |
| Category: | Heritage Building |
| Founder: | Ta Rimochen Lam |
| Constructed(Year|Century): | 0 | 15 |
| No. of Floor | 2floor |
| Main Wall | Stone wall |
| Location: | Tang, Bumthang |
| Current Use: | Original |
| Ownership: | Government |
| Coodinates: | 27.57925°N, 90.88007° E |
Taag Rimochen lhakhang is a government owned lhakhang. It was built in the 15th century by Ta Rimochen Lam as his residence. It is built on a rock that is believed to be the sacred site of Guru Rinpoche. The oral history says that the lhakhang was first built as a residence of lama. He had a wife and family so the community decided to build a new residence for him so that they can keep the sacred place clean and pure. The community built another house which is located a few meters away from the lhakhang as his new residence and converted his old residence into a lhakhang. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche is named Taag Rimochen lhakhang which is associated with the rock that resembles the stripes of the tiger. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche meditated on the giant rock with his two consorts Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal and Mandarava in the 8th century where he left a footprint on the rock. There is also the footprint of Lhacham Pemasel on the rock who was the daughter of King Thisong Dutsen. She is said to have come for pilgrimage along with Guru Rinpoche and believed that she died in Rimochen. Her dead body was concealed inside the rock with mystic treasure named as “The mystic keys to future”.
However, according to the KMT research, it was stated the lhakhang was built by Tertoen Pema Lingpa in the 14th century. The establishment of lhakhang was predicted by Kuenkhen Longchenpa who was a great Nyingma master. The place was visited by tertoen Dorji Lingpa who started the descent in Tang Ugyenchoeling. His descendant, Trongsa Penlop Tshokey Dorji in the 19th century had restored lhakhang. Later,tertoen Sherab Mebar visited the place in the 13th century and discovered the text called Gyud Bum Chung (little son tantra) from a box buried under a rock infested with a snake. Tertoen Pema Lingpa is said to have discovered treasures such as the image of Buddha and other religious texts from the rock. The sacred place was further visited and blessed by other great Buddhist masters.
