Shelkar Drak

Shelkar Drak Lhakhang, located on the south side of Avalokiteshvara Hill in Haa valley, is a small temple, similar to the famous Taktsang monastery in Paro, seemingly growing naturally from the cliffside, blending with the rocks.The name Shelkar Drak means a white crystal cliff, describing both the whitewashed cliffside and the temple itself. Though its exact age is unknown, it served as a refuge for Choglay Jigme Tenzin, the sixth Sungtrul (speech incarnation) of Bhutan's unifier, Zhabdrung Rinpoche.

Further, Sungtrul Jigme Norbu, the fourth speech incarnation (1831-61), is believed to have authored a prayer book for the protective deity Dorje Dzinpa, suggesting the temple's existence in the mid-19th century.The temple's interior, not open to photography, houses a statue of Dorje Dzinpa, a protective deity. Local residents share tales of miraculous events, like a juniper tree emitting smoke without burning and a vibrating stupa responding to sincere prayers.