Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo (White and Black Temples)
Nestled at the base of the sacred Meri Puensum (Three Brother Hills), these twin 7th-century sanctuaries are the spiritual heart of the Haa Valley. According to historical tradition, Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo released a white pigeon and a black pigeon to choose the auspicious ground for two temples aimed at establishing Buddhism across the Himalayas. Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple) serves as the primary seat of the district’s monastic body, while the smaller, atmospheric Lhakhang Nagpo (the Black Temple) is built directly over a natural sacred water spring inside its dark central shrine.
Walking between the two temples takes only ten to fifteen minutes along a quiet village path lined with ancient prayer wheels. Local guides emphasize visiting Lhakhang Nagpo first for its deeply contemplative, rustic altar space, where butter lamps illuminate ancient wall frescoes. The open stone courtyard of Lhakhang Karpo, by contrast, comes alive during local seasonal rituals, framed by intricate white-and-red timber woodwork and sweeping views of the surrounding alpine ridges.
