Legend has it that one of four images of standing Chenresig or Avalokiteshvara in the form of Padmapani were brought to Tibet in the 7th century from Nepal by Akarmatishila after he discovered them in a split sandalwood tree trunk.

The largest image was a silver one of Jowo Shakyamuni or Maitreya (the coming Buddha) in the form of Manjuvajra In the 13th century statues of Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani were placed alongside it by King Namgonde and his consort.

On special days in September or early October monks come in from the areas around and perform day-long dances using masks, some of which date from before the Chinese arrival in 1959.

[4] It is situated about 15 km downstream from Tsegu (or 'nine-storied') Gompa and the now-destroyed Simbiling Monastery near Purang,[5] the headquarters of Ngari province, just over the border from Nepal in western Tibet in the valley of the Karnali River which is known in Tibet as the Mapchchu Khambab - the 'Peacock Mouth River' or 'River Formed from the Mouth of a Peacock'.

It escaped the worst ravages of the Cultural Revolution as it had connections with the Kagyupa sect and links with Bhutan and has been completely restored since except for the famous silver statue of Chenresig or Avalokiteshvara has disappeared.