Athang Tsho, also known as Adha Tsho, is a sacred Tshomen lake that bestows blessings of wealth, beauty, and loyalty on devotees. It sits above Lopoka village on a plateau at the edge of several paddy fields, at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level, in Athang Gewog, Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag.
Thangbi Mani (Mewang), often popularly known as the Thangbi Mewang, is a 4-day sacred fire-blessing festival held in the courtyard of Thangbi Lhakhang in Bumthang. It is held every year from the 14th to the 17th of the eighth month of the Bhutanese calendar to invoke protection, purify negativity, and bless the community.
Dagana Dzong, formerly known as Daga Trashiyangtse Dzong, is one of the 16 dzongs that Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built in Bhutan. In 1651, under Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal’s command, Druk Namgyel built it on a ridge overlooking a valley to bring Daga Lungsum under central rule.
Thimphu Tshechu is an annual religious festival held from the 10th to the 12th day of the 8th month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar in Tendrel Thang, outside Tashichho Dzong. Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye initiated the festival in 1670 to honor Guru Rinpoche.
Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, also known as the Dungtse Lhakhang or Paro Dumtse Lhakhang, is a three-story chorten-shaped temple built in 1421 by Thangtong Gyalpo to subdue a “serpentine force.” It sits on the edge of a hill between the Paro and Dopshari Valleys, across the bridge from Paro.
Tamzhing Phala Choepa is a three-day annual festival honoring the Boar-God, held in the courtyard of Tamzhing Monastery in Bumthang. It is held from the 10th to the 12th day of the 8th month on the Bhutanese calendar. This Festival of Boar Dance is linked to the founding of Tamzhing Monastery in the 16th century by Terton Pema Lingpa and his protector, Dorji Phagmo.
Thimphu Lhamoi Dromchoe, the “great achieving prayer of the female deity”, is a one-day annual sacred religious festival held in the open courtyard of Tashichho Dzong. The festival showcases the sacred Lhamoi Tshomi Kuncham dedicated to Palden Lhamo, Bhutan’s chief protective female deity. Je Kuenga Gyaltshen first instituted it between 1705 and 1710.
Nub Tshona Patra, “The Great Lake in the West,” is one of the most sacred and revered lakes in Bhutan, where Guru Rinpoche had hidden treasures. The lake is situated between the ancient trade routes of Haa and Tibet, in Tshona Diga, at an altitude of 4080 meters.
Ugyen Guru Lhakhang, also known as Pangbisa Guru Lhakhang, is a temple founded by Terton Sherab Mebar in the 14th century. The temple was built in accordance with Guru Rinpoche’s prophecy. It is located in the village of Pangbisa above the Paro Valley at 4,000 meters above sea level.
Domendrel Tsho is a sacred lake where Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye offered a Mandala to consecrate the Palace of Sikkim’s King Chador Namgyal. The lake is one of the best short-day trips under Thimphu Dzongkhag. It is located at an elevation of 4047 meters above sea level and 4 kilometers from Tango Monastery. The hiking route starts from Dodena, the base of Tango-Cheri Monastery, and it takes 4-5 hours from the base.
