Bumthang Valley
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
Bumthang is one of the most beautiful and sacred valleys in Bhutan. The main town in the valley is Jakar. Bhutan's only brewery, brewing Red Panda wheat beer, is in Jakar. Bumthang is divided into four gewogs, namely Chhoekhor, Tang, Chhume and Ura. The valley is broad with various habitats including coniferous woodland. The language spoken in Bumthang is known as Bumthang Kha, a Tibeto-Burman language. Each of the four valleys of Bumthang has its own dialect.
Jakar Dzong
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
Located on the ridge overlooking the beautiful valley of Chamkhar in Bumthang, the name Jakar Dzong translates to “The Castle of the White Birdâ€. It was built in 1549 and later upgraded in 1646. The Dzong is now used as administrative centre for the people Bumthang valley and houses of the regional monk body.
Wangduecholing Palace
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
The palace is the historic seat of Bhutan's reining Wangchuck dynasty. The palace has one of the finest architecture in the country. It was built in 1857 by Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal, the father of the First King of Bhutan."
Ogyencholing Palace
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
Ogyen Choling was never so much a seat of political power as a center for religion. Throughout its history it was referred to by terms which alluded to its religious nature as being a monastery or hermitage. In fact the history of Ogyen Choling begins with the visit of the great Tibetan master of Buddhism, Longchen Rabjam (1308-63).
Jamba Lhakhang
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
It is located in Chokhor Gewog in Bumthang. It is a ten-minute drive from the Bumthang main town. The monastery was built in the seventh century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. It is one of 108 monasteries he built to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region. It is here, one of the most popular dances held in the annual Jampa lhakhang Drub is the naked dance.
MeBar Tsho / The Burning Lake
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
It is located in Tang and is a 30-minute drive from Chamkhar town. It is considered as one of the most sacred sites in Bumthang. The legend Terton Pema Lingpa (treasure discoverer) had a vision of the sacred treasure that Guru Rinpoche had hidden within the lake. Pema Lingpa held a burning butter lamp in his hand and jumped into the lake. When he re-emerged holding a chest and a scroll of butter lamp still burning. On auspicious days people offer butter lamps at the Lake. Many tourist visits the site to observe spectacular beauty of this important historical and religious site.
Kurjey Lhakhang
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
It is located at Kurjey in Bumthang. It is a 15-minute drive from Chamkhar town. This monastery comprises three temples. The right was built in 1652 on the rock face and the second temple was built on the other site of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of Guru Padmasambhava’s body. The third temple was built by the Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck. These three temples are surrounded by a wall with 108 stupas. There is drupchu (holy water) about a hundred meters above the temple and is said to be created by Guru Rinpoche.
Thangbi Goemba
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
Thangbi Goemba was founded in 1470 by Shamar Rinpoche and, after a dispute, was taken over by Pema Lingpa. The main chapel of the Dusum Sangay (past, present and future Buddhas) is entered under another of Pema Lingpa's famous chain mails. Around 20 gomchen (lay or married monks) attend here, celebrating a mani (festival) and fire ceremony in the middle of the eighth lunar month (October). The goemba is a 3.5km drive north of Kurjey Lhakhang on an unpaved road, branching across the river at Toktu Zampa. Along the main road you'll see what looks like mailboxes; these are actually 'milk boxes', where local herders leave their fresh milk for daily delivery down to Jakar. Hikes start from here to Ngang Lhakhang and to Luege Rowe. For Ngang Lhakhang walk along the road to a small khonying (traditional stupa-style gateway), visit the nearby rock painting and traditional water mill and then cross the bridge over the Chamkhar Chhu at Kharsa village.
Tamshing Monastery
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
It is located five kilometer away from the main town of Bumthang. It was built in 1501 by the treasure discoverer, Terton Pema Lingpa, who still remains one of the most popular Bhutanese saints whose coming was prophesied by Guru Rinpoche centuries earlier. A skilled tantric master and an artist he sculpted the main statues and painted the frescoes, which can be seen even today.
Konchogsum Lhakhang
Located in: Bumthang
History & Overview
Kenchosum Lhakhang, Bumthang (referred to as Tselung Lhakhang in Pema Kathang and Choekhor Lakhang during the time of Pema Lingpa) was built in the 9th century (the initial construction was started at the end of 8th century and completed in 9th century), upon the instruction of Guru Rinpoche. Guru Rinmpoche instructed King Thrisong Deutsen of Tibet to build a three storeyed temple similar to Samye Monastery (of Tibet) in Bumthang to serve as centre for flourishing Dharma, Peace and Happiness.
