| Name: | Pelphug lhakhang |
|---|---|
| Identity: | Lhakhang |
| Level: | Registered Heritage Building |
| Category: | Heritage Building |
| Founder: | Drupchen Melong Dorji |
| Constructed(Year|Century): | 0 | 13 |
| No. of Floor | 1floor |
| Main Wall | Stone masonry |
| Location: | Tang, Bumthang |
| Current Use: | Original |
| Ownership: | Private |
| Coodinates: | 27.60003⁰N and 90.89044⁰E |
Pelphug ney was a residence of Drupthob Melong Dorje built in the 13th century. According to the publication made by KMT (2013), Thowadra and Pelphug was a door to sacred sites of ‘Baeyul Khenpajong’. Pelphug ney has the footprint of Guru Rinpoche and many sacred sites around the lhakhang. As per the oral narrative, the original lhakhang was said to have been a larger structure which is supported by the huge foundation wall visible in front of the present structure. Later, the size was reduced but the details of who and when it was built is still unknown. All the timber components including the flooring plank were renovated through the government fund. About ‘Khikha Ra Thoe’: The current caretaker Zangmo (2021) narrated that Guru Rinpoche and ‘Khikha Ra Thoe’ competed with each other over the supernatural power at Khenpajong. Guru is said to have used his supernatural power to create garuda out of timber. Garuda is believed to have landed in a place called ‘Karnya’. After losing, Khikha Ra Thoe along with his relatives and attendants were sent to exile. They are said to have built a palace at Kizom village under Tang gewog. However, later they moved and resided in Chhoekhor gewog where the ruins of a palace can be seen today.