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BUMTHANG VALLEY

Bumthang is the most historical valley with signs of the visit of the Great Buddhist saints from India, Guru Rinpoche (Precious Master) in the 8th Century. The landscape is in a shape of a Bumpa ‘an oblong shaped religious water vase’ as seen from chhoekhor on the western hill of the valley. Therefore Bumthang is derived from BUM meaning WATER VASE and THANG meaning FLAT AREA. Bumthang valley the altitude varies from 2560mtrs to 4000mtrs. Crops mainly grows are Potatoes, Barley, wheat and Buck wheat.
Buckwheat flour is used to prepare the Bumthang specialty, PUTTA meaning Buck wheat noodles and KHULE meaning, slightly bitter buckwheat pancake.

JAKAR DZONG
In 1549 it was built as a monastery by the great grand father of Zhabdrung (Who unified the country) and later in 1646 it was built by the Trongsa Penlop(Governor) has repaired as monastery fortress (Dzong). In 1683 the main Tower and repaired it. In 1897 it was badly damage by the earthquake. Here in this dzong when the monk bodies shift from Trongsa dzong for the summer residence, they perform a ceremony commemorating the defeat of the Tibetan invaders from Lhodrak in 1644.

WANGDUE CHOLING PALACE
Wangdue Choeling Palace was the historic seat of Bhutan’s reining Wangchuk dynasty, and one of the finest examples of domestic architecture in the country. It was built in 1856 by the founder of Wangchuk Dynasty, Black regent” Jigme Namgyal, Wangdue choeling was where the first and second King’s held court; and where third king grew up and absorbed the lessons of statecraft and court procedure.

JAMBAY LHAKHANG
It is one of the most important and oldest monastery in the country, It was built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Geombo in 659AD to pin down the Ogress. It is built on the left knee of the Ogress; it is one among the 108 monasteries built by the Tibetan King by sending 5000 disciples through out the Himalayan country. It was built in the same day as Kychu monastery in Paro. Here they perform religious festival during the autumn of the year.

KURJEY LHAKHANG
Located 7kms from the main town, the place where monasteries was built is founded in 746AD by the precious master (Guru Rinpoche) during his first visit to Bhutan. The actual Kurjey complex consists of three temples against the hillside facing south. Oldest temple was built in 1652 by the Trongsa Penlop (Governor) Minjur Tempa, on the rock with an imprint of Guru. His eight manifestations are displayed on the altar. The ceiling is decorated with a magnificent mandala dedicated to the eahing of Gongdu.in 1900 the second temple was built by the first king Ugen Wangchuk, and third new one was built by the Royal Queen Mother ASHI KEZANG CHOODEN WANGCHUK.

TAMSHING LHAKHANG
Also known as Tamshing Lhendrup Choling, but popularly known as Tamshing. Built in 1501 by the Treasurer discover Terton Pema Lingpa with the help of KHANDROM (FEMALE CELESTAILS BEINGS).
Tamshing meaning temple of Good Message, which is located 5kms from the main town.
It contains painting of fundamental interest for the history of painting in the region. The inner walls contain the original un-restored images that were painted by Treasurer discover himself.

KUNCHUSUM LHAKHANG
Sometime it is also call TSILUNG; it is a rural looking temple, a short distance from Tamshing Lhakhang. The temple dates back to 7th century, it was restored by the treasurer discover in 15century. The temple is famous for its bell, which bears an inscription from the 8th century. It was stolen and transport to Bhutan. It must been cats for the Tibetan Royal Family so that they can hear the “sound of Buddhism”. KUNCHU meaning “DIVINE BEING, while SUM means THREE “the THREE BUDDHA”.

MEBARTSO-(BURNING LAKE)
The Tang River cuts through the first line of hills, forming a narrow gorge which contains on of the great pilgrimage site in Bhutan. This is where the place (Treasurer Discover) found the treasurers hidden by the Precious master in 8th century and thus became TERTON”, Treasurer Discoverer of religious treasurer.

URA VALLEY
It is 52kms from the town toward east across a pass at 3600mtrs, if the weather permits then you can view the highest peak of the kingdom, GANGKAR PUNSUM 7541mtrs. URA valley lies at 3150mtrs and lies on the right side of the main high way to the east. The large and unusual village with cluster of big houses linked by the little alleys paved with stone slabs is a rare sight in Bhutan. URA’S main livelihood is raising sheep and yaks. The introduction of potato farming a little more than a decade ago has brought a certain degree of prosperity to the people living in the harsh climate of this valley. Above village a new temple dedicated to GURU Rinpoche was inaugurated in 1986.

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