Dechenphug Neythang, located at the extreme north of Thimphu Valley at around 40 minutes drive from the main town. it sits on a gentle slope at the base of the mountain.
Especially during the auspicious day, one can see the huge crowd gathered at the neykhang. During other days visitors goes there for a purpose; to get the name of the newborn baby, student, of course, to get the blessing from the deity for their examination, and other people to seek help from the deity.
I have known about the Neythang from a long time ago and visited for many times. Not only me but many other people visit the neykhang to seek refuge from the guardian deity called Aap Ganyen.
People living in Dechencholing or in Thimphu area, either old or a young are fond of Aap Genyen. Within children when they are making the promise, they say "Aap Genyen gi Nah za" which means promise in the name of Aap ganyen. Once it is said, the promise is granted by the others and he/she is spared. Elder has it that if one promises before the deity to stop consumption and later resumes it. He or she lands up in a dreaded situation.
Though many words are heard of Dechenphug, It is probably not for all who knows about the history of the neykhang. This is a small drop in the ocean like history about the neykhang.
The root of the temple is closely related to Phajo Drugom Zhipo (forerunner of Drukpa Kagyu School in Bhutan). Lam Phajo has five sons, four from Wangzam Sonam Palden (Garten, Wangchuk, Nyima and Lama) and one from Achog called as Dampa, who was known to be the reincarnation of Pha Dampa Sangye, an Indian Maha Siddhi.
When Phajo sent his sons to rule in different parts of Bhutan. he appointed his eldest son Dampa as the abbot of Tango and instructed him to build 21 drubkhang (meditation room) and temple with five doors in the vicinity of Dedeyna. As per father's command, he carried out the work. during the construction of drubkhangs and temple he met with Bjob Zam (nomad lady) Budrenma and had a son called Bjob Kuenzang Dorji. He received the teaching of Buddha from his father as well as a grandfather. Later he was installed as abbot of Tango.
A temple was built by Dampa at the location where present neykhang stands without any knowledge of the site being the sacred site of Genyen Jagpa Melan. When Dampa was on his deathbed he called his son, Bjob Kuenzang Dorji to the temple and appointed him as the 2nd chief abbot. On request to live longer, Dampa gave a word, going to be rebirthed as the son to him. As destined a son was born to Bjob Kuenzang Dorji a year later. He was named Damtrul Loden Gyalpo, who assumed as the 3rd chief abbot of Dechenphug. He went to Ralung to get the teaching of buddha as his father gained an old age, so he was in no position to teach Damtrul Loden Gyalpo. At Ralung, he met Jamyang Kuenga Singye, who was by then serving as the 7th price abbot of Druk Ralung. Damtru Loden Gyalpo invited Jamyang Kuenga Singye to Dechenphug in 1345.
The Present structure of the Neykhang was built by Damtrul Loden Gyalpo and Jamyang Kuenga Singye respectively and installed the statue of Genyen Jakpa Melan. The Legend has it that Genyen Jagpa Melan appeared before Jamyang Kuenga Singye as a person, and he was given the Kago Damzha to be the protective deity of Pelden Drukpa.
Of the two sons of Damtrul Loden Gyalpo, Drung Drung Gyalzom was appointed as the 4th Chief Abbot of the monastery. Later, Drung Drung Gyalzom’s successor assumed the title of Chief Abbot.
It was renovated under the command of the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The renovation work commenced in 1996 and was concluded in 1998.
Today, the neykhang observes a one day Tshechu dedicated to Genyen Jagpa Melan.
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