Khinyal Lhakhang is considered as one of the sacred and oldest community Lhakhangs. Khinyal Lhakhang is believed to have been built by Gelwa Lha Nangpa in 1228.

An oral account relates that there are different stories as to how it got its name – Khinyal Lhakhang. Local elders say that Khinyal Lhakhang is also referred to as Mon Tamnyen Lhakhang in the Buddhist scriptures. It is believed that its foundation stones were laid on the same day to that of Samye Monastery in Tibet. Tamnyen literally means that the news (Tam) had reached (Nyen) Kurtoed about the day of laying the foundation stone of famous Samye Monastery, which was completed in 779 A.D.

Another oral account suggests that the dog of famous Drukpa Lama Choejay Drukpa Kuenley slept at the present day location of the Lhakhang and hence it was named Khinyal Lhakhang. In the local dialect of that area, “Khi” means dog and “nyal” means slept.

Every year, people from the nearby villages gather at Khinyal Lhakhang on the 15th day of the tenth month of the Bhutanese calendar to celebrate its annual festival – Ramda, meaning “rabney” or consecration ceremony of the Lhakhang. It is not clear again as to what “Ramda” is associated with. Terton Pema Lingpa is believed to have renovated this Lhakhang once. Some are of the view that “Ramda” is observed to mark the consecration ceremony after its renovation while others are of the view that it is observed to mark the laying of its foundation by Gyelwa Lha Nangpa.

Source: Lhuntse dzongkhag