It was founded in 1470 by the 4th Shamar Rinpoche (the red hat Karmapa), Chokki Drakpa an important lama of the Karma Kagyudpa sect. The famous treasure hunter and saint, Terton Pema Lingpa later took over and it became a Nyingmapa (sect) Lhakhang. The iron curtain at the entrance is said to have been cast by the saint himself.