Jambay Lhakhang is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples, believed to have been constructed in the 7th century (circa 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 is primarily dedicated to Jampa (Maitreya), the Future Buddha, and houses a revered statue of him.

The temple’s ancient walls and serene atmosphere exude a profound sense of history and spirituality. It is particularly famous for its annual “Naked Dance” (Tercham) during the Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival in October/November, a ritual performed to bless infertile women. Visiting Jambay Lhakhang offers a deep connection to the early propagation of Buddhism in Bhutan and provides an intimate experience of its enduring sacred traditions.