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Located
on the confluence of the Chandra and the Bhaga rivers, may be the oldest
centre of Buddhist pilgrimage. Downstream, on the left bank of the
Chandrabhaga is Tunde village, site of another ancient Buddhist shrine.
Found about 800 years ago but repaired extensively about 30 years ago,
the gompa is linked to the one at Stakna, near Leh in Ladakh, and belongs
to the Drukpa order. Guru Ghantal is made from wood and renowned for its
carvings and idols of Padmasambhava.
This shrine is popularly known as Trilokinath and enshrines an image of
'Boddhisatva Avalokiteshwara'. The archaeological evidence found at this
site indicates that it had been a significant Buddhist as well as Hindu
pilgrimage site in the distant past.
Further below at the confluence of the Chandrabagha River and the Miyar
stream, is an ancient temple of "Marichi Vajravarahi" at
Udaipur, the earliest surviving relic of Indian Buddhism in the valley. It
now enshrines a brass image of 'Mahishasurmardani'. The Buddhists continue
to regard this site as a temple of "Marichi Vajravarahi".