Wangditse Lhakhang also known as Zabdon Lhundrubste, was built by Deb Jawo, the eight Desi (regent), or Khedrup Tenzin Dondrub, Druk Rabgye , in the wood Sheep Year of the twelfth Rabjung, corresponding to 1715 CE. The temple is situated in the middle of a ridge above Dechen Phodrang.

The main inner sacred object is a two-storeyed statue of Shakyumanai, the Lord of Sages ( thub pa'i dbang po). There are also other important statues to be seen. If you walk about eight minutes from the temple , you can see a blessed water source.

Legend has it that Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651) sanctified the area where the three-storied Wangditse lhakhang stands today when he was travelling from Pangrizampa to Paro through Wangditse, Choekhortse, Puemola pass, and Drela pass. Later it became the centre of religious and secular activities when the 8th Desi Druk Rabgye built the Wangditse lhakhang in 1715 AD.

According to oral account, the dzong-cum-lhakhang was named Zhabden Lhuendrubtse (Natural Peak of Profound Meaning) at the time of the salang tendrel(ground breaking ceremony).

Zhabdrung Sungtrul Ngawang Chogley Namgyel (1708-1736), the speech incarnation of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, consecrated the lhakhang along with its inner objects over three consecutive days. It was during the consecration ceremony that people from different regions gathered at Wangditse to make offerings and pay respect to Desi Druk Rabgye. He considered the event auspicious to bring different regions under the central power and thus said to have named the dzong/lhakhang as Wangditse.

Desi Druk Rabgye, born in Wang Sinmo, served as Thimphu Dzongpon before becoming the Desi (1707-1719). As he was known for astrology and rites, he was also called Deb Phajo, literally meaning the practitioner of rituals. He was also called Deb Jawo because of his long beard.
Today, the inner sanctum of the top floor houses the goenkhang enshrining statues of country’s protecting deities.

In addition to sacred relics installed earlier, His Majesty The King installed life-size images of Dorji Neljorma (Vajra Yogini), Jampal Shinje (Manju Yaksha), Tandin (Hyagriva), Zhabdrung Ngagchang (Zhabdrung in Tantric robe), Chagna Dorji (Vajrapani), Sengdongma (Singha Mukha) and Dorji Namjom – all in standing wrathful form.

The ground floor houses a one-storied high Buddha Shakyamuni statue as the main relic flanked by standing Manjushri (Jamyang) on the right and Avalokitesvara (Chenrezig) on the left with intricately carved design of Gyendruk Jaboema in the background.
Wangditse later served as an administration centre and residential seat of Thimphu Dzongpons and some Desis. It was from this residential seat that the course of events of ruling the country had been defined. It is also the place of origin of Rigzhung studies in the country.

HM Graces Consecration of Druk Wangditse Lhakhang 5 February 2020- His Majesty The King, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Their Majesties the Gyalyums, His Royal Highness The Gyalsey and members of the Royal Family graced the Consecration of the Druk Wangditse Lhakhang. The Prime Minister and government officials also attended the ceremony, along with the people involved in the renovation works.

The rabney for the renovated lhakhang was performed on January 24, with the prayers culminating today, coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey. The sertog was installed on January 21.
It is among the oldest temples in Thimphu, and an important national heritage site. The lhakhang suffered extensive damage due to the September 2011 earthquake.

Renovation works commenced in 2013, implemented by the division for conservation of heritage sites of the ministry of home and cultural affairs, with the Royal support and guidance of Her Majesty Gyalyum Tshering Yangdoen Wangchuck.

The renovation work was based on drawings of the lhakhang by Samuel Davis, who visited Bhutan in 1783, and archaeological findings, to determine the size and style of the original, larger structure which had later been made smaller.
Renovation works included enlarging the lhakhang, adding a shakhor, and cleaning and restoring the main Buddha statue, Choeten Deshey-gyed, and wall paintings in the lhakhang.

Source: kuensel
Druk Ge Ney Fb