Chhundu Lhakhang is located 10 km north of Haa and accessed by a short 5-10 mins walk from the road in Gayekha village. This shrine is one of many that are dedicated to the valley’s protecting deity Ap Chhundu. The temple houses statues of the blue-faced Chhundu and his red-faced cousin Jowya.

People believe that the man with the basket was their protecting deity, Ap Chhundu. Believed to be a manifestation of the wrathful Vajra Panja, Ap Chhundu is one of the most important protecting deities of the country and a birth deity of all those who are born in Haa valley.

As per the legends Chhundu did not get along with his neighbours. He was banished to Haa by the Zhabdrung after an altercation with Gyenyen, Thimphu’s protector. He also had a quarrel with Jichu Drajye of Paro and the Paro guardian stole all of Haa’s water- and that’s why there is no rice grown in Haa.