The 2 Holiest sites of Guru Rinpoche, blessed during his first visit to Bhutan from Nepal at the invitation of King Sindhu Raja in the 8th century, are in Bumthang and Trongsa.
Kunzangdra is one of the four cliffs of Guru Rinpoche, located opposite the Tang Valley of Bumthang Dzongkhag at 3350 meters above sea level. The name Kunzangdra is derived from the incident of Pema Lingpa seeing Kuntu Zangpo, one of the primordial Buddhas, while gazing up from his birthplace, Chel.
Thowadra is one of the four sacred cliffs of Guru Rinpoche in Bumthang, where a wooden Garuda is said to have been left after exiling the Tibetan king Khikha Rathoe from the Khenpajong Valley. The sacred cliff was founded by Mandarava. Thowadra Monastery is located at the extreme north of Chutoed village under Tang Gewog in Bumthang Dzongkhag at an altitude of 3,400 meters.
Nabji Lhakhang is a one-story temple built by Khandro Tashi Khyidren at the site of Guru Rinpoche, where he made peace between the two kings, Sindhu Raja and Nawoche, by erecting a stone pillar of oath (Nado). The Nabji Lhakhang is located in Nabji village, Korphu Gewog, under Trongsa Dzongkhag at an elevation of 1,312 meters.
Kurjey Lhakhang is the first sacred site of Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan, blessed in the 8th century. Kurje is the “impression” left by Guru Rinpoche’s holy body on the rock in the cave of the Diamond Piled Red Rock (Drakmar Dorje Tsekpa) while meditating to subdue Shelging Karpo, who took the life force (sog) of King Sindhu Raja of Bumthang.
Hungrel Dzong was a fortress built on the sacred site of Guru Rinpoche in Paro Dzongkhag at an elevation of 2364 meters. The Dzong was constructed by Drung Drung Gyelchog (Lama Drung Drung Gyal or Pha Drung Drung Rinpoche) in the 15th century. It was a five-story structure, built of compact mud, and resembled Namgyal Khangzang. Inside, it resembled the “Palace of the Gods“.
Kabji-Hoka Tsho is a sacred lake and one of the largest lakes in Bhutan. It is located in Kabje Gewog under Punakha Dzongkhag at 2130 meters above sea level. The Kabji Hoka Tsho history has it that the lake never overflows, as it drains through an opening believed to have been created by the lake’s deity.
Guru Rinpoche is one of Bhutan’s most important historical and religious figures, who introduced Buddhism. He is considered the reincarnation of the Lord Buddha and is referred to as the Second Buddha. The statue of Ugyen Guru Rimpoche appears on the altars of almost all Bhutanese temples and homes.
Buli Tsho is a sacred lake considered to be the Palace of Kheng Buli’s protector goddess, Tshomen Kuntu Zangmo, also known as Buli Moenmo, the mermaid guardian deity. It is nestled in Buli village under Zhemgang Dzongkhag. The Buli Tsho has a surface area of 2 hectares and an elevation of 1372 meters. The portrait of Tshomen Kuntu Zangmo can be seen on the wall of the famous Buli Lhakang.
Domtsang Ney is a meditation cave of Guru Rinpoche in Bjemina. It is located around 25 km from the capital city, Thimphu, en route to Tshelung Ney and Jagar Damkelsa Ney. The Ney is a real hidden blessing of Guru Rinpoche. It is a site of hidden blessings for all of us. The evidence left by the Guru itself is a source to revere the Ney and seek blessings.
