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Pilgrimage Sites of Bhutan -2 འབྲུག་ལུ་བྱིན་རླབས་ཅན་གྱི་གནས-༢་པ།, Changbangdu, Thimphu (2026)

12/06/2026

Jagar Damkelsa Above Chimithang Village

Jagar Damkelsa is located above Chimithang village, overlooking Khartsharapchu. After travelling by car from Domtshang Zam (Bridge), one arrives at Damtshelkha village in Chimithang. From the village, Jagar Damkelsa can be reached by a walk of approximately thirty-five minutes.
According to tradition, the mother of the great Pandita Nagi Rinchen was reborn in an occasional hell (nye tshe ba'i dmyal ba) situated beneath the oven of a household in Punakha. In order to rescue his mother from this suffering, Nagi Rinchen went to work for that family.

Local elders recount that during the day he diligently carried out the tasks assigned to him, such as transporting manure to the fields. However, every night he mysteriously disappeared. The villagers became curious about where he was going and eventually decided to follow him.

To their astonishment, they discovered Lama Nagi Rinchen deep in meditation in the middle of a cliff. Through his miraculous powers, he was seated upon an upturned bamboo basket that rested on a wooden crossbeam. Witnessing this extraordinary sight, the people recognized him as a great siddha (grub thob).

Because of this event, the place became known as Jagar Damkelsa, which literally means “the place where the crossbeam of the siddha was placed.

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08/06/2026

The Sacred Meditation Cave of Thrulzhig Namakhai Neljor Above Dodeydrak Monastery

The sacred Meditation Cave of Thrulzhig Namakhai Neljor is situated on a cliffside at the summit of the hill above Dodeydrak Monastery. Scattered throughout the surrounding forests and caves are the remains of meditation retreats once occupied by the disciples of this great master, a renowned holder of both Sutra and Ta**ra (Mdo rGyud).

According to the oral account of Chogyal, the former Buesar of Dodeydrak, the remains of the meditation huts located to the right of Thrulzhig Namakhai Neljor's cave belonged to the senior practitioners, while those on the left were occupied by the junior practitioners.

Along the forested path between Dodeydrak Monastery and the meditation cave stands the Reliquary Stupa of Je Pema Zangpo. Near the stupa, one can still observe the remains of his hermitage. As the route passes through dense woods and steep cliffs, access to these sacred sites remains difficult and challenging.
These sacred remains continue to bear witness to the rich contemplative tradition and spiritual heritage of Dodeydrak.

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30/05/2026

Larjab Ney at Jamkhar, Trashiyangtse

Larjab Ney, located at Jamkhar in Trashiyangtse, was revealed in 2010 by the great contemporary treasure revealer, Kyabje Buli Trulku Rinpoche.
Kyabje Buli Trulku Rinpoche is revered as the reincarnation of Phagpa Magapa, one of the principal disciples of Buddha Gautama, and Yudra Nyingpo, one of the twenty-five heart disciples of Guru Padmasambhava.

According to the inaugural plaque at the sacred site, this holy place, Drakar Pema Baza, marks the conclusion of the great Aja Ney pilgrimage route and the beginning of the sacred Gomphu Kora.

The plaque further records that Kyabje Buli Trulku Sonam Loday established the three principal manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava at this sacred site. These were built with prayers and aspirations for the continued prosperity and flourishing of Bhutan's Wangchuck Monarchy for thousands of years to come.

Source: Trashiyangtse Heritage FB

23/05/2026

Sacred Ruin of Bardong Lhakhang and the Iron Bridge of Bajo, Wangdue Phodrang

This is the legendary story of the old Bajo Lhakhang and the ancient iron bridge believed to have been constructed by the great Drubthob Thangtong Gyalpo, also known as the “Iron Chain Master.”

According to local legends, the old Bajo Lhakhang existed before the devastating flood of 1968. The temple had two entrance doors one facing Wangduephodrang Dzong and the other facing Punakha Dzong. The doors were never closed, as travelers and pilgrims often rested inside the lhakhang on wooden planks. During the hot summer weather, the temple served as a peaceful resting place for those journeying between valleys.
Sadly, the lhakhang was washed away during the great flood of 1968, together with the large cypress tree that stood beside it. The cypress tree that now stands near Bajo School is believed to be the younger tree and the only living remnant connected to the old temple. Until a few decades ago, stories about the partial remains of the iron bridge were still whispered among the local people.

It is said that the iron ore used for constructing the bridge was collected from places such as Gaselo, Gum Jansa on the way to Shari Pangkha Temple, Heksokha, and the Sha Chitokha region. Local legends also mention that Thangtong Gyalpo built a similar iron bridge over Hesothangkha.
The disappearance of the iron bridge has become another legendary tale, linked closely with the flood and the lost artifacts of the old lhakhang.

According to the Lhodruk Chojung, a historical text written by the 69th Je Khenpo Geshe Gedun Rinchen, Bardong Temple was built by Drubthob Thangtong Gyalpo, who is believed to have been an emanation of Guru Rinpoche.

Local villagers say that the ruined walls near the cypress tree beside the river, below Bardong village, are the remains of the ancient temple. The temple once housed a sacred Jowo statue, representing the Future Buddha, as its main inner statue. The temple was built by Drubthob Thangtong Gyalpo as a place of worship and spiritual refuge for the local people.

To help villagers and travelers reach Bardong village, the Drubthob also constructed an iron bridge across the Punatsangchu River. Unfortunately, both the temple and the iron bridge were eventually destroyed by floods, leaving behind only a small ruined wall as a reminder of their existence.

However, according to local accounts, the Prajnaparamita Sutra in One Hundred Thousand Verses, which had been placed as sacred relics inside the Jowo statue, emerged during the flood and was later preserved safely inside the new temple built in the upper part of Bardong village.
Today, the ruins of Bardong Lhakhang and the stories of the lost iron bridge remain an important part of the cultural and spiritual heritage of Bajo, Wangdue Phodrang, keeping alive the memory of Drubthob Thangtong Gyalpo and his remarkable contributions to Bhutan.

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17/05/2026

Sacred Mentsephu Gonpa

Mentsephu is a sacred and spiritually significant place that was visited by Guru Rinpoche. The site is also known by two other names: Mentsethrang and Druk Mentsephu. The temple was founded in the 14th century by Jamyang Kunga Senge, the seventh of the nine Drukpa hierarchs, who was also known by the name “Senge.”

Zhabdrung Rinpoche also visited this sacred place while travelling from Lingzhi through Gangbug. The name “Mentsephu” is derived from the word men, meaning medicine, because the area is rich in many named and unnamed medicinal plants. Due to its extraordinary natural beauty and peaceful surroundings, great masters of the past praised the place as Druk Lhentse Lhayi Dumra “the divine groves of the gods.”

Tshampa Ugyen Paljor, who has been meditating at Mentsephu Temple for the past ten years, shared that his Root Guru told him about a sacred vision experienced by Jamyang Kunga Senge. While founding the temple after arriving from Tibet, Jamyang Kunga Senge had a vision of Chakrasamvara (Dechog Khorlo Dampa). In that vision, the entire place of Mentsethang appeared as the mandala of Chakrasamvara.

Many great spiritual masters, including Drubthob Chilkarwa and Zhabdrung Rinpoche, also visited this sacred site.

To reach Mentsephu, one must walk about three hours along the main path from Barishong toward Lingzhi until arriving at a junction known as Chakhar Dapsa. From there, it takes about one and a half hours on foot, crossing a rivulet eight times, to reach Mentsethang. After climbing uphill for about another hour, visitors finally arrive at the temple, which is dramatically situated in the middle of a cliff.

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09/05/2026

Dechu, the sacred place where the Guardian Deity Jarok Dongchen ensured the safety of Zhabdrung Rinpoche.

Basing on the verbal account of Ap Dargye from Ula and Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s Namthar the etymology of the name Dechu is thus: Zompa Chukmo extended a warm hospitality to Zhabdrung Rinpoche and looked after him very well after he arrived at Jarogang ; however Zhabdrung Rinpoche thought of leaving for India if the situation became worse ,so he went down upto a stream and took rest on a rock slab for a while .

There legon Jarok Dongchen the Raven-headed Guardian, appeared before Zhabdrung Rinpoche and said, " Lama ,don't worry . I have repelled the Tibetan forces" ; and the guardian deity further said that I would take the responsibility of ensuring that there would be no harm from the Tibetans " Zhabdrung Rinpoche felt absolutely peaceful and returned from here . So Zhabdrung Rinpoche named this stream Dechu meaning " peace stream" derived from the word detokto" peaceful ".

The rock on which Zhabdrung Rinpoche sat was washed away by flood in the Earth Monkey Year. In 1968, coinciding with the Earth Monkey Year,there was a devastating flood in Bhutan and people of Zawa village went to collect dead fishes killed by the floods. 93 year-old Agay Gangla from Zawa village found a volume of scripture called "Eight Thousand Verses" ( brgyad stong pa) ,written in gold ,on a rock at the confluence of Dechu stream and Punatsangchhu River. This scripture, which survived the floods is today preserved in this village as its main object of veneration and offering.

The return of Zhabdrung Rinpoche from this place on the encouragement of the guardian Jarok Dongchen and the discovery of the gold-written scriptures of Eight Thousand Verses by Agay Gangla from the same place are important information for our history.

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19/04/2026

Namthangkha Tsho (Lake) – Sacred Site above Beyul Langdra, Kazhi (Wangdue)

Namthangkha Tsho, located above Beyul Langdra in Kazhi under Wangdue, is regarded as a highly sacred site deeply connected with spiritual legends, tertön traditions, and the blessings of Guru Rinpoche.

●Local Oral Account

According to Ap Gyeltshen, a 56-year-old resident of Kazhi, Namthangkha Tsho is believed to contain several sacred conches. In ancient times, a local man caught one of these conches and attempted to take it away.

Enraged by this act, the Menmo (female water spirit) of the lake transformed into a python and pursued the man. As it chased him, the spirit passed beneath the hill below the lake, creating a passage through it.

When the Menmo spirit finally reached the end of the ravine, it encountered Drukpa Kunley. At that moment, it was not yet the destined time for the man to die. The Lama intervened, took the conch from the man, and respectfully returned it to the Menmo spirit, thereby saving the man’s life.

●Sacred Landscape Features

The stream that flows through the ravine of Namthang is believed to represent the very python that pursued the man. Its winding, flowing form resembles a moving snake, reinforcing the sacred narrative tied to the place.

Namthangkha is located within visible distance from the front of Luku Dzong and can be reached in approximately thirty minutes on foot from there. However, reaching Luku Dzong itself requires a journey of about 2–3 days from Beyul Langdra.

● Terton Dorji Lingpa’s Vision

The sanctity of Namthang Lungphu is further affirmed through the spiritual experience of Dorji Lingpa, as recorded in his Namgur (spiritual songs):

Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum

“I, Dorji Lingpa, the mantra holder, had this dream at Namthang Lungphu. The Five Masters (slob dpon lnga) came to bless the place as sacred. My lama said he would introduce the Great Perfection (Dzogchen). Holding a finger-length crystal in his hand, he laid me down and placed the crystal upon my eyes.

‘Son, look at the sky without distraction,’ he instructed.

As I gazed, I beheld, within a radiant rainbow light in the sky, a vast and clear image of Vajrapani on the right. On the left appeared a red-colored form of Guru Rinpoche, visible from the upper body in mid-air.

Overcome with devotion, my lama introduced me to the realization, saying:
‘How wondrous the Dharmakaya is like a stainless white crystal.’

At dawn, I inscribed these words upon the wall of the cave.”

●Spiritual Significance

Based on both oral tradition and tertön revelation, Namthang Lungphu is recognized as a deeply sacred site associated with Guru Rinpoche and the transmission of profound teachings such as Dzogchen (Great Perfection). It stands as a place of blessing, meditation, and spiritual vision.

●Remarks on Name Variants

This sacred site is known by several spelling variations, including:

Namda Lungphu (rnam dag lung phug)
Namthang Lungphu (rnam thang lung phug)
Namda Luku (rnam dag lud khu)

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14/04/2026

Sertog -The Golden Pinnacle of Ap Chundu’s Castle

Sertog, known as the Golden Pinnacle, is believed to be part of the sacred castle of Ap Chundu, the guardian deity of Haa Valley. According to oral tradition, this massive boulder was originally a golden pinnacle brought from the Dungna area under Samtse Dzongkhag by a man named Dung Goepye Pema. He was a demi-god and the chief bodyguard of Ap Chundu.

There is a mountain called Chundu Gang, located along the Bhutan-Tibet border, which is believed to be the neykhang (sacred abode) or castle built by Ap Chundu. After completing the castle, Ap Chundu instructed his strongest bodyguard, Dung Goepye Pema, to bring the Golden Pinnacle (Sertog) from Dungna.

Dung Goepye Pema successfully carried the pinnacle and reached a place called Pchala Dophu, which is about a two-hour walk from Hatey Damthang. However, exhausted from the long journey, he stopped to rest and fell into a deep sleep. Unfortunately, by the time he awoke, it was already dawn. As he heard the crowing of the Tsento Bjab Kaps rooster, the golden pinnacle instantly turned into a huge boulder. Due to this misfortune, Dung Goepye Pema also lost his life.
It is said that before the journey, Ap Chundu and Dung Goepye Pema had made an agreement. Pema was required to bring the Sertog to Chundu Gang within one night, without being seen by humans, gods, or spirits, and before the c**k crowed at dawn. If he succeeded, he would be appointed as the chief representative of Ap Chundu. However, if he failed and daylight arrived, the pinnacle would turn into stone, and he would face severe misfortune even to the extent of losing his life force.

As a result of his failure, the Golden Pinnacle became the large boulder seen today, and Dung Goepye Pema perished. Even now, this boulder can be seen on the way to Chundu Gang, and it is believed to be the transformed pinnacle of Ap Chundu’s castle.

Source -Gyeltshen Dorji TikTok

31/03/2026

Sertog – The Golden Pinnacle of Ap Chundu’s Castle

Sertog, known as the Golden Pinnacle, is believed to be part of the sacred castle of Ap Chundu, the guardian deity of Haa Valley.

According to oral tradition, this massive boulder was originally a golden pinnacle brought from the Dungna area under Samtse Dzongkhag by a man named Dung Goepye Pema. He was a demi-god and the chief bodyguard of Ap Chundu.

There is a mountain called Chundu Gang, located along the Bhutan–Tibet border, which is believed to be the neykhang (sacred abode) or castle built by Ap Chundu. After completing the castle, Ap Chundu instructed his strongest bodyguard, Dung Goepye Pema, to bring the Golden Pinnacle (Sertog) from Dungna.

Dung Goepye Pema successfully carried the pinnacle and reached a place called Pchala Dophu, which is about a two-hour walk from Hatey Damthang. However, exhausted from the long journey, he stopped to rest and fell into a deep sleep. Unfortunately, by the time he awoke, it was already dawn. As he heard the crowing of the Tsento Bjab Kaps rooster, the golden pinnacle instantly turned into a huge boulder. Due to this misfortune, Dung Goepye Pema also lost his life.
It is said that before the journey, Ap Chundu and Dung Goepye Pema had made an agreement. Pema was required to bring the Sertog to Chundu Gang within one night, without being seen by humans, gods, or spirits, and before the c**k crowed at dawn. If he succeeded, he would be appointed as the chief representative of Ap Chundu. However, if he failed and daylight arrived, the pinnacle would turn into stone, and he would face severe misfortune even to the extent of losing his life force.

As a result of his failure, the Golden Pinnacle became the large boulder seen today, and Dung Goepye Pema perished. Even now, this boulder can be seen on the way to Chundu Gang, and it is believed to be the transformed pinnacle of Ap Chundu’s castle.

-PSOBhutanFB🇧🇹

29/03/2026

Why Kurje Lhakhang is One of the Most Sacred Sites in Bhutan

The biography of King Sindhu Raja, known as the Clear Mirror, explains the spiritual significance of the sacred sites in Bumthang. It states that Jampa Lhakhang represents the Body, Chakhar Lhakhang represents Speech, Dorje Tsekpa Lhakhang represents Mind, and Pema Lhakhang represents Wisdom. The entire Bumthang valley is regarded as a sacred land of realized beings, or Wisdom Holders. It is believed that those who make offerings, light butter lamps, and perform virtuous deeds in this sacred valley will, in the future, be reborn as dakinis and dakas.

For this reason, it is considered very important to make offerings at the sacred sites of Bumthang. In particular, it is said that every blade of grass at Kurje is filled with sacred dharani mantras.
According to Lopon Nyabi Thinley, when Drukpa Kunley visited Kurje in the past, he remarked that there was not even a place for him to relieve himself because every blade of grass was marked with the sacred syllable “ཨ” (Ah).
Later, when the 12th Je Khenpo Kunga Gyatsho and the 13th Je Khenpo Yonten Thaye were on pilgrimage to Tsari and visited Kurje, they gazed upon the grounds and witnessed the Vajra Guru Mantra appearing on every blade of grass. Overwhelmed with devotion, both Je Khenpos were filled with tears of joy, as they perceived Kurje as the true manifestation of Zangdopelri, the pure land of Guru Rinpoche.

Because of this profound sanctity, during the reign of the Second King, Jigme Wangchuck, cattle and other domestic animals were not allowed to graze within the sacred grounds. Oral traditions also maintain that no insects can be found within the area, as it is an exceptionally pure and blessed site where Guru Rinpoche visited repeatedly to turn the Wheel of Dharma.

Therefore, anyone visiting Kurje should show the utmost respect by refraining from urinating, defecating, or throwing garbage on the sacred ground.

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Pilgrimage Sites of Bhutan -2 འབྲུག་ལུ་བྱིན་རླབས་ཅན་གྱི་གནས-༢་པ།

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