Location lhakhang Karpo white temple in the tiny village of Dumchoe, 3kms south of HA town,
In his mission to built 108 temples, the Tibetan saint and king, Songtsen Gampo according to prophesy, selected the HA valley as a site for two temple of the temple, Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo. The temple stand as the guardian sentinels keeping watch at the south entrance of Ha valley. Built in the 7th Century, Lhakhang Karpo with its sparkling white wall is situated at the foothills of the three towering mountains venerated as Rigsum Gonpo.
According to a legend a black and a white pigeon were released to select site to build the temple. The white pigeon landed on the foothills of the mountain Avaloketesvara of the towering Rigsum. Temple were built by people who apparently appeared out of nowhere Haa Tohm (Haa Tohm in Bhutanese –meaning all of a sudden). The name of the valley, Haa is thus derived partially from the term Haa tohm and the people are known as Haaps.
Lhakhang Karpo is the main seat of Haa guardian deity –Ap Chundu. People say that the guardian deity Ap Chundu himself was responsible for the installation of the main statues in the monastery, especially the statue of the Tshepamey ( Amitayus). According to a legend with only the torso of the statue complete, a man appeared with the head of the statue and offered it to temple for a price. The head fitted perfectly onto the body of the Tshepamey ( Amitayus). The man disappeared without taking any payment. People believe that he was deity Ap Chundu.
The primary statue of Lhakhang Karpo are Tshela Nam sum consisting of the Tshepame Amitayus, the Dolma White tara and the Nam Gyem Vijaya. Other tens treasure of temple includes the kathrap statue of statue of Chundu and the Kanjure (the translated words of Budhha)
The temple conducts prayer ceremonies on various occasions. A seven days longer long ritual is held which concludes with Lam Choejab on the 10th day of 3rd month Bhutanese Calender