Taktsang Monastery, famously known as Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan or Paro Taktsang , is located in Paro district. The monastery is one of the most venerated places of pilgrimage in the Himalayan. Taktsang clings to the rock towering 800m (2,600feet) above the valley and is located 2,950m (9,678 feet) above the sea level. It takes about 2 to 3 hours (depending on your fitness level) to climb to the monastery from the base at the road of Ramthangkha, 12 kilometres from Paro town.

The first temple was built by Sonam Gyaltshen – a Nyingma Buddhist master – probably in 1508 at Taktsang Pelphug. In 1645, the whole site was offered to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of the nation state of Bhutan.

It was at Taktshang, during the Tibetan war of 1644/46, that Zhabdrung and his Nyingmapa teacher, Terton Rigdzin Nyingpo, first performed a ritual invoking Padmasambhava and the protective deities. Zhabdrung instructed Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye, who subsequently became the fourth temporal ruler of Bhutan, to build the temple of the Eight Manifestations of the Guru there. The construction work began ion the 10th month of the Water Monkey Year (1692) and the two-storied temple was completed in 1694.

Between 1961 and 1965, the monastery was renovated by the 34th Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot), Shedrup Yoezer. Additions were made in 1861-65 and 1982-83, and then in 1992. On April 19, 1998, Taktsang was damaged in a tragic blaze. The current structure that exists was reconstructed in 2005.

The meticulous reconstruction to its full glory was spearheaded by the Fourth King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. During this fire, and the one in 1951, the speaking bronze statue of Guru Sungjonma is the only item that miraculously survived unscathed in both times.

There are currently four temples surrounding the main temple of Taktsang Lhakhang. All the buildings in the complex are interconnected by staircases with steps carved into the rock. The exterior of the complex has white-washed walls with gold painted roofs.

A prayer wheel is located in the courtyard and it is being rotated by residing monks at 4 a.m. daily to mark the beginning of a new day. The interior of the temples is also decorated with the finest details to reflect the finest Varjayana Buddhist tradition.