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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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