Ngelung Drechaling in Gangtey (there is another claimant of this place in Phobjikha) is considered as one of eight legendary Lings* that were established by the Fourteenth Century Buddhist master,

Longchen Rabjam Drime Oser (1308-1363). Longchenpa, in short, is considered by far the most important Nyingma master for it was he who compiled and codified the foundational texts for study and practices for Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Ngelung Drechaling takes its name from a stone boulder that is preserved in front of the temple, and is the oldest temple in the valley – even older than the famous Gangtey Gompa.

This temple is located below Gangtey Shedra (towards the right) as you drive down from Lawala. It is also known as the residence of Second Gangtey Trulku – Tenzin Lekpai Dondrub – a large statue of whom is on the main altar to the left of the statue of Guru Padmasambhava.

As for the relics, there are the tooth relic of the horse of Longchen Rabjam, and a beautiful and an old Guru thangka with hand prints of the Great Longchenpa.

More importantly, a metal plate that was smithed by Terton Pema Lingpa (1450-1521). Rubbing a food item on it and consuming it is believed to be both healing and a liberation from the Lower Realm. 

“Even our monarchs have come and done that,” says Lam Kunzang Dorji – the super jolly lama of the temple.

The Holy Waters of Za Rahula:

Of the many legends and beliefs surrounding this place, most significantly, is the fact that it is one of the places with a magical water called Za-chhu (holy water of Za Rahula), which have miraculous healing properties for neurological disorders like stroke, muscle dystrophy, palsy, speech delay or disorder, etc.

“Thanks to such miraculous powers of the Za-Chhu, I have received a couple of offerings from the devotees who recovered, with which I have managed to give a fresh murals, and 115 prayer wheels around the temple.” Says lam Kunzang.

Za Rahula – the unforgiving deity:

Ngelung Drechaling has a sacred chamber dedicated to Za Rahula. Za Dong Rahula – or simply Za Rahula, is the nine-headed deity who, together with Mamo Ekajati and Damchen Dorje Legpa form the Three Protector Deities of Nyingma School of Buddhism. These three deities in short form are known as Ma-Za-Dam Suum. 

The nine staked heads of Za Rahula are believed to be the nine planets that Rahula has swallowed – togther with the Sun and the Moon. Thus, he is known as the conqueror of the planets. 

Why should stroke patients appease Za Rahula?

One common Bhutanese belief is that when a person suffers from stroke or neurological disorders such as paralysis and palsy it is believed that he or she has been hit by Za (planets). This “Za” refers to the deity Rahula, because Za Rahula doesn’t forgive. Such malice or misfortune are also considered as karmic retribution or balance known as len-chha (literally meaning balance karma). Appeasing Za Rahula helps one recover from stroke – or provides protection from getting stroke. 

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*The Eight Lings established by Longchen Rabjam:

In Bhutan, Künkhyen Longchen is known for establishing the eight lings (locations where he meditated on, taught, and wrote the Dzogchen):

– Babron Tharpaling (thar pa gling);

– Shingkhar Dechenling, Bumthang (shing mkhar bde chen gling);

– Tang Ugyencholing in Bumthang (stang au rgyan chos gling);

– Kunzangling in Lhuntse (skur stod kung bzang gling);

– Khothang Pemaling/Rinchenling (mkho thang rin chen gling);

– Menlok Kunzangling in Wangle (kun bzang gling);

– Nyenlong Drechagling (sngan lung ‘bras bchags gling); and

– Paro Samtenling (spa ro bsam gtan gling).