In the face of such a fascinating sacred site’s cliff today stands imposing three storied lhakhang. The cliff where the sacred sites and lhakhang are located is in the form of self-created Vajrakila; hence it is also believed to be the sacred site of Activity – Phurpa.
From 11th century onwards, many Buddhist masters visited Thowadrak. They include Ngogton Choeku Dorje and Gyalwa Lorepa from Kagyu tradition and Gyalwa Longchenpa, Terton Pema Lingpa, Jigme Kundrol and so on from Nyingma tradition paid visits to Thowadrak and blessed the site.
In the 17th century, when Bhutan was consolidated as a nation state, there was a small hermitage at the site where the present lhakhang stands and on the instruction of Minjur Tenpa the present Thowadrak Lhakhang was built under the patronage of Trongsa Chila being supervised by Choedrak Lama Sherab Jungney and with labour force provided from Tang. Since then, many accomplished masters both Nyingma and Kagyu traditions visited the Thowadrak Gonpa.
In the mid of 20th century, the condition of Gonpa became slightly deteriorated and it was managed by only a caretaker (kon-nyer). It was at that time, the then Home Minister Tamzhing Jagar appointed the present lama Pema Sherab Dorje under whose initiative a new Gomdey was established, which is still under full function. Since the place is located in the distant secluded mountain top, it is not polluted or desecrated by modern distractions as other sacred sites and therefore its sanctity prevails in pure and vital form and it’s a worthwhile sacred site to be visited by any pilgrims.
