Kichu Lhakhang is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples, believed to have been built in the 7th century (around 659 AD) by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. It is one of the 108 temples he purportedly built across the Himalayas to subdue a giant ogress who was preventing the spread of Buddhism. The temple complex houses two main temples: the original Jowo Lhakhang and the later Guru Lhakhang, which was added in the 19th century by the Queen Mother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck.

The temple is revered for its ancient statues and sacred relics, and it exudes a profound sense of peace and spirituality. Many elderly pilgrims can be seen circumambulating the temple daily, spinning prayer wheels. Kichu Lhakhang serves as a testament to the early propagation of Buddhism in Bhutan and remains a deeply cherished pilgrimage site for its historical significance and spiritual power.