Douglas J. McLaughlin
Taktsang is one of the major pilgrimage sites of Bhutan. According to legend Padmasambhava flew to the cliff-side site upon the back of a tigress, a manifestation of his consort Yeshe Tsogyel. It was developed as a temple complex in 1692 by the Fourth Druk Desi, Tendzin Rabgye. Over the centuries it has been a site of activity of many great teachers and practitioners, such as Milarepa, Tangtong Gyelpo, Pema Lingpa, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, and Dilgo Khyentse. It was damaged by fire in 1951, burned completely in 1995, and was rebuilt in 2005.