Chumphu Ney is a meditation place of Guru Rinpoche located in the northern part of Dopshari Gewog of Paro Dzongkhag where the famous floating statue of Dorji Phagmo is defying gravity at an altitude of 3078 (10170 ft) meters above sea level.
How to Reach Chumphu Ney
Chumphu Ney Hike is one of the best pilgrimage hikes in Bhutan for those who love connecting with pristine nature. The Chumphu Nye is located in the northern part of Dopshari Gewog of Paro Dzongkhag. Drive one and a half hours from Paro town. After parking your car at the last stop, Chumphu Goenpa Hike is a 4-hour hike up and 3-hour back to car parking.
The spiritual hike is usually a day trip, during which people pack their lunch and have it at the parking after returning from Chumphu Ney. There are no night halt facilities at the monastery, however, some hikers spend a night camping at the sacred site.
Chumphu Nye hike starts on a gentle slope and has a sharp ascend of 826 m at the end of the hike to reach the monastery on the top. Chumphu Hike is around 9 km.
The spiritual hike begins as one crosses the entry gate (Zego) naturally formed by two boulders. Along the trail, so many prints and artifacts are believed to have been blessed by Guru Rinpoche and his consort.
The climb begins at the bridge and passes through several sacred caves, rocks, and waterfalls associated with Guru Rinpoche, Dakinis, and Saints who had graced this power spot meditating and practicing dharma. The gate to heaven, Guru Rinpoche’s throne, an imprint of Guru Rinpoche, the ceremonial robe of the Guru on a rock, a stone vase containing the holy water of long life, and imprints of Dakinis are the wonderful sights along the way as one hike up.
The trail is longer than hiking up Tiger’s Nest but is not as physically exhausting. It is a pleasant hike through an enchanting forest, following a beautiful river until you reach a Stupa (Chorten). The walk is on flat land with little gradient until the last part of the trail at a bridge at the base of the hill. The final hundred meters incline up to the monastery is fairly steep.
You can feel free once you exit the congested city and hike away from the madness of city life. Your mind will be re-energized by being outside in the fresh air. Your city’s mundane life, the commotion, and the depressing daily routine will all be forgotten, and your mind will be free because it’s a spiritual hike, not just an ordinary hike.
Also Read: Paro Taktsang Tiger’s Nest Hike
Sacred Relics to See at Chumphu Goenpa
- The floating statue of Dorji Phagmo (Vajravarahi) defying gravity;
- Numerous caves where Guru Rimpoche and his consorts, Dakinis, and legendary scholars were believed to have meditated;
- The gate to heaven;
- Guru Rinpoche’s throne;
- Imprints of Guru Rinpoche;
- Ceremonial robe of the Guru on a rock;
- A stone vase containing the elixir of Immortality;
- Imprints of Dakinis/saints;
- Rocky cliffs said to contain secret jewels that will be revealed in degenerated times.
Also Read: Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites
Historical Significance of Chumphu Nye
Following Guru Rinpoche‘s historic visit to Paro Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) on the back of a Tigress, he returned to Chumphu Ney and meditated for two months. Guru Rinpoche had uttered a prophecy elucidating on the sacred site at Chumophu ‘the sound of the churning water; rings the sound of dharma; mother dakini, the holder of awareness; is endowed with the dual aspects of siddhi; in the cave akin to the source of dharma; the main treasure is the meteoric dagger of the pure realm’.
Chumphu Nye is important as it is considered the second Tsari. The first tsari is in Tibet known as Tsari Rongkor. However, it was prophesied that Tsari Rongkor would decline steadily over time and Chumphu Nye would then become the main Tsari.
The Chumphu Nye was discovered by His Holiness the 9th Je Khenpo of Bhutan, Shakya Rinchen. Do you know the meaning of Chumphu Nye? The initial name of Chumphu Nye was Chumophug which means “cave of holy water.”
Description of Chumphu Ney
Chumophu has two sacred sites: the upper and lower site; the lower site, where there are remains of an old temple, is believed to have been blessed by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century.
There are holy waterfalls and sacred caves where Guru Rinpoche and his consorts have meditated. Many legendary scholars meditated there. The most sacredness of the Chumphu Ney is the longevity water (Tshechhu) oozing out of a rock. The Tshechhu is believed to heal various diseases and give a long life. Waterfalls are said to be the bathing place of Guru Rinpoche and big rock openings are said to be the opening gates to Heaven.
A 20-minute hike uphill from the temple leads to a holy waterfall (3246m). This is considered a lake from where the statue of Dorji Phagmo was discovered. Taking bamboo pieces (tsari nguma) from the vicinity of the waterfall, which is used to fashion amulets and talismans, is a common practice among devotees who visit Chumphu Ney.
Chumphu Lhakhang
The temple is perched atop a hilltop surrounded by three crown-shaped mountains. His Holiness the ninth Je Khenpo Shakya Rinchen built the present Lhakang and named it Tsari Nyipa. The monastery built in the middle, at the heart of the body, is depicted in an aerial view of the region as an imaginary figure of a female wearing the crown. However, the present temple is allegedly founded by Choejey Pema Jungney, the religious aristocrat of Shara Drango village.
The main statue of this lhakang is the 5-foot tall floating statue of Dorji Phagmo (Vajravarahi) defying gravity. Believe it or not, one leg is crossed at the knees and the other is standing but does not touch the ground. The Lama or monk at the temple attempts to prove this by moving money back and forth under the feet of the floating statue.
According to history, the Dorji Phagmo statue was discovered from the lake above the Monastery by Terton Drukdra Dorji. The statue was around a foot tall when discovered from the lake. But with prophecy, His Holiness Je Shakya Rinchen planned to build a statue the same size as Tsari Nye by covering the foot-tall statue from the outside. However, the statue has grown to its present size by itself.
Another legend is that the Goddess Dorji Phamo flew from Tibet and stayed on as a statue.
It is believed that whoever visits this temple built on the crest of the crescent-shaped hill, is instantly liberated from the cycle of suffering owing to the site’s sacredness. Guru had even mentioned, ‘in the crescent-shaped cliff, there are concealed treasures on dharma teachings, on the face of the cliff, there is a foot impression of His Master (Guru Rinpoche)’.
There is also a statue of Vajravarahi that Terton Tsheten Gyeltshen had revealed from the upper sacred site. The temple also has some exquisite murals depicting various saints and Buddhist masters.
Best Time for Chumphu Ney
There is a hike every season in Bhutan, and any time of year is a good time to go hiking. However, certain seasons are better than others regarding the best hiking time. In Bhutan, the spring season, which runs from March to the end of May, and the autumn season, which runs from the end of September to the middle of November, are the best times to go hiking to your favorite places.
You can contact the Lam of Chumphu Nye, Chencho Gyelp at 77319651 or the site manager, Lopen Karma Tshering at 17859657.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chumphu Nye Located?
Chumphu Nye is a meditation place of Guru Rinpoche located in the northern part of Doteng Gewog of Paro Dzongkhag at an altitude of 3078 m above sea level.
Who discovered Chumphu Nye?
Chumphu Nye was discovered by His Holiness the 9th Je Khenpo of Bhutan, Shakya Rinchen.
What is the meaning of Chumphu nye?
The initial name of Chumphu Nye was Chumophug which means “cave of holy water.” Chumophu Nye also translates to “Sacred Female Water Mountain”.
Why is Chumphu Nye important?
Chumphu Nye is an important pilgrimage site due to its historical connections with Guru Rinpoche, its status as the second Tsari, the mysterious floating statue of Dorji Phagmo, and the many sacred relics.
What is the floating statue in Bhutan?
The floating statue in Bhutan is that of Dorji Phagmo, also known as Vajravarahi, located in the Chumphu Nye monastery in the Paro district. This statue is believed to be an incarnation of Dolma (Tara), the divine consort of Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion). It is known for defying gravity and is said to have been discovered at the lake above the monastery, originally smaller but miraculously grown to its present size.
What sacred relics are found in the Chumphu Nye?
The sacred relics found in Chumphu Nye include:
- The floating statue of Dorji Phagmo (Vajravarahi) defying gravity;
- Numerous caves where Guru Rinpoche and his consorts, Dakinis, and legendary scholars were believed to have meditated;
- The gate to heaven;
- Guru Rinpoche’s throne;
- Imprints of Guru Rinpoche;
- Ceremonial robe of the Guru on a rock;
- A stone vase containing the elixir of Immortality;
- Imprints of Dakinis/saints;
- Rocky cliffs that contain secret jewels that will be revealed in degenerated times.
What do people do to preserve the Chumphu nye?
To preserve Chumphu Nye, the site is well-maintained and conserved by the local authorities and the community. Visitors are expected to respect the sacred sites and relics, including the floating statue of Dorji Phagmo, by not touching or disturbing them. This helps maintain the spiritual significance and the integrity of the site.
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