One of the iconic figures that would welcome visitors to Tangmachu is the 173 feet Guru Statue which stands magnificently at Takila overlooking Tangmachu. According to the legend, the two luminaries of the 19th century, Rimay (non-sectarian) School of Tibetan Buddhism, H.H. Jamyang Khentse Wangpo Rinpoche (1820 – 1892) and H.H. Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche (1813 – 1899), the accomplished Dzogchen masters as well as tertons of treasure texts and treatises foretold the need to construct a physical structure of Guru Padmasambhava in the form of Guru Nangsi Zilnoen. They revealed that the statue would bring peace, prosperity and happiness in this universe and also prevent war, famine and other natural calamities.

Furthermore, the great Terton Lerab Lingpa (1856 – 1926) prophesied that at one point of time, there will be a war of horses in Kurteo valley. Therefore, to prevent this war, a statue of Guru Nangsi Zilnoen should be built. Similarly, the late Lam Sonam Zangpo in the 20th century, the most revered Yogi of Bhutan, emphasized that, for ensuring continued prosperity in the world in general and Bhutan in particular, a giant statue of Guru Rinpoche should be built at Takila, Lhuentse.

As prophesied by the great leaders, the Druk Odiyana Foundation under the leadership of Late Khenpo Karpo built the Guru statue.