Jambey Lhakhang is built by Tibetan King Songtsen Goenpo in 7th century was one of the oldest temples among 108 temples built in a day. This king built 108 temples to subdue the demons residing in the Himalayas.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival – it’s a big deal for two reasons. First, it celebrates the founding of the temple in the 7th century. Second, it honors Guru Rimpoche, the saint who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan. During the festival, you’ll witness a variety of traditional and mask dances, each packed with meaning and significance.
The festival’s highlights are the ‘Mewang’ – a fire ceremony, and the ‘Tercham’ – a unique religious dance. The ‘Tercham’ is quite the spectacle; at midnight, sixteen masked men, covered only in white cloths, perform a sacred dance. This dance, introduced in the 8th century, originated in Nabji Korphu in Trongsa as a distraction for demons hindering monastery construction.
The locals in Bumthang highly revere this dance, considering the penis a symbol of precious life. Despite the discomfort and embarrassment, the performers take pride in participating, and interestingly, their names aren’t allowed to be called out by recognized friends during the dance. It’s a unique blend of tradition, spirituality, and cultural significance.
