Ugyen Pema Woeling Zangdopelri Monastery

Looking through the panels of three ancient 14th Century doors that frame the temple, you see nothing but the faint outline of a guilded Guru Rinpoche, illuminated by the warm glow of two tiny butter lamps. The locals, all elderly but for one young woman and her toddler, make their way around the temple as they quietly spin each small prayer wheel that outlines the Lhakhang.

Samtencholing is the sole monastery in the village of Merak. It sits near the far-end of the village, just beyond the Basic Health Unit, and serves as the center of village life for the Brokpa people who live here. Samtencholing looks like most small monasteries you will find throughout Bhutan, but its alter inside does differ slightly. The Brokpa people, while Buddhist, also still follow the Bon form of religion that sees them worshipping their local deity, Jomo.

Ugyen Pema Woeling Zangdopelri (the heavenly abode temple) is a beautiful three storied temple located in Loongnyi Gewog in Paro. Everything about this temple is heavenly, right from the selfless intentions behind the construction to the amazing architecture.

The walled in Pangrizampa temple appeared in Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal’s vision which directed his infamous journey from Tibet to Bhutan. The temple was built by Ngawang Choegyel, the great-grandfather of the Zhabdrung and dates back to the 17th Century. Its original name, Druk Phrodang, means "The Dragon Castle". Situated about 8km from the capital city, Thimphu, the monastery presently functions as the Central Monastic Body's national center of traditional astrology, home to about 100 student monks.