The 2 sacred sites of Guru Rinpoche blessed during his first visit to Bhutan from Nepal at the invitation of King Sindhu Raja are Bumthang Kurjey and Trongsa Nabji. During Guru Rimpoche’s first visit to Bhutan in the 8th century, he blessed 2 sacred sites, one in Bumthang and the other in Trongsa.
The must-visit 2 sacred sites of Guru Padmasambhava blessed during his first visit to Bhutan are:
1. Kurje Lhakhang
Bumthang Kurjey is one of the first sacred places of Guru Rinpoche and has become a central place for pilgrimage from people around the world. It is believed that on the cave of the Red Cliff (Drakmar Dorje Tsekpa), Guru Rinpoche left his body impression while meditating to subdue Shelging Karpo, who took the sog (life force) of King Sindhu Raja of Bumthang. Therefore, it was known as Kurjey. The body impression can be seen even today.
Later, Lhakhang was built by Mingyur Tenpa at the site in 1652. This site of pilgrimage is known as Kurje Lhakhang. Therefore, the Kurjey is a very sacred place and the most venerated place of pilgrimage where Guru Rinpoche.
The Kurjey is located at the Drakmar Dorje Tsekpa (the red cliff of stacked scepters), 5 km from Jakar town. It takes only 15 minutes by car to reach Kurjey. If you visit from Chakhar Lhakhang, Kurjey is 2.5 kilometers away. The Kurjey Lhakhang is only 1 kilometer from Jambay Lhakhang.
There are three main temples in Kurje. They are Guru Lhakhang, Sampa Lhundrup Lhakhang, and Ka Gon Phor Sum Lhakhang. The oldest, Guru Lhakhang was built in 1652 on the site where the Guru Meditated, the second temple where he left his body imprints, and the third was added in 1984.
The Kurjey Lhakhang can be visited throughout the year, but the best time would be in June when the popular Kurjey Tshechu is held. During the Tshechu, a large Thongdrel of Guru Tshengye, the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, is unfurled in the early morning. The Tshechu has a unique and historical mask dance that portrays Guru Rinpoche subduing the local deity Shelging Karpo.
2. Nabji Lhakhang
Nabji Lhakhang is a one-storied traditional Bhutanese temple built by Khandro Tashi Khyidren. It was constructed at the site where Guru Rinpoche made peace between the two kings Sindhu Raja and Nawoche, by erecting a stone pillar of oath (Nado). A stone pillar of the oath still stands inside the temple as the main relic with the handprints of Guru Rinpoche, King Sindhu Raja, and King Nawoche.
This Lhakhang is in the middle of a field surrounded by a wall in Nabji village, Korphu gewog under Trongsa Dzongkhag at an elevation of 2156 masl.
To visit the historic Nabji Lhakhang, drive to the road-end at Nabji Primary School. The school is 115 km away from Trongsa town. From the school, hike up for half an hour to reach the sacred Nabji. If you are an ardent trekker, you can also reach Nabji from Reotala, between Trongsa and Zhemgang.
You can visit Nabji Lhakhang any time of the year. However, staying at the time of the annual Nabji Lhakhang Drup conducted from the 15th to the 20th day of the 11th month of the Bhutanese calendar would be a bonus. You can witness a five-day festival where the monks and the local villagers of Nabji perform the dances of Pema Lingpa (Terchams).
Also Read: Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites
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