Gongza Ney is a sacred place where Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal offered tea to Guru Rinpoche at noontime while he went to Gomkora to subdue a demon. The Gungja Ney is located on the banks of Gongri (Drangme Chhu) in Toedtsho Gewog under Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhag at an altitude of 927 masl.
The Ney’s original name was Gung Ja, meaning “noon tea or midday tea.” With time, the sacred Ney is called Gongza Ney. It is also called Gongja Ney. You will only take an hour to explore the holy Ney. Some people believe that the sacred site of Gongza Ney continues till Gomphu Kora along the riverbank of Drangme Chhu.
How to Reach Gongza Ney
From Trashi Yangtse, drive to Doksum, near another sacred site Gomphu Kora. Doksum is about a 45-minute journey from the main town of Trashiyangtse. From Doksum, you will take just 2 hours on foot to reach Gongza Ney. You can also get to the Ney from the Yalang Bridge. The Ney is a 3-hour hike from the Yalang suspension bridge, 3 hours downhill from Jangphu village, and an hour from the Melongkhar bridge.
Sacred Relics to See at Gongza Ney
- The meditation cave of Guru in the Lhakhang called Guru’s Ter Drom in the Tshangla dialect (box of treasure);
- Shoe (Tshoglham) of Guru that blesses the pilgrims with Thruelchu;
- Guru Nangsi Zilnoen and many paintings;
- So many sacred stone artifacts (Ney dhos).
Also Read: Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites
Historical Significance of Gongza Ney
While Guru Rimpoche was on his way to subdue the demon of Gom Kora, Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal offered noon tea (Ja in Tshangla) to Guru Rinpoche at midday when exactly the sun’s position was in mid of the Sky (Gung in Tshangla). It was believed that the rainbow encircled the sun and the locality.
Considered a good sign, Guru Rinpoche blessed the place. Thus, the Ney is known as Gung (Midday) Ja (Tea) but with time, it became Gongza Ney among the pilgrims.
It is unclear who discovered Gungza Ney, but people have been on pilgrimage as Guru Rimpoche blessed it. The Ney was formally founded by Tshampa Dawa in 1988. It was said to be initially covered under dense forest. In 1993, after five years of stay in the place, a Zangdopelri Lhakhang was built by Tshampa Dawa.
Later, the Ney was blessed by numerous Buddhist masters. Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche was the first master to bless the Ney in 1996. Rinpoche graciously blessed the place and offered the lamps inside the Lhakhang and nearby sacred sites.
Another saint Truelku Kuenga (Tibetan saint) also visited the Ney in 1998. He also performed Thruelsoel (oblation offerings) to the Ney.
Description of Gongza Ney
Upon reaching the Ney, on the face of the cliff where Gungja Ney Temple perches, there are 42 images of peaceful gods and 58 of wrathful gods. Behind the temple are three massive boulders representing Rigsum Gonpo (Chenrigzee-Chhana Dorjee-Jampelyang) and a stream flows below each. Another stream known as Guru’s Drubchu also flows nearby making four streams.
Also Read: Drupchhu or Holy Spring Waters in Bhutan: Beliefs and Benefits
You can explore oddly shaped stone monuments along the riverbank like Tashi Gomang, Grinding Stones, Tsari Nyipa, Guru’s Throne, Drenagchung, Shinji Choegi Gyalpo, and many more. Below the main shrine, the stone Dungkar and clear male and female holy springs (Drupchhu Pho-Mo) flow to the main river.
The small temple is built into an overhanging rock. It is in the shape of Guru’s Zangdopelri in traditional Bhutanese style. The main relics of the Lhakhang are Guru Nangsi Zilnoen, wall paintings of Guru Tshengye (eight manifestations of Guru), and Zhabdrung Phuensum Tshogpa. The Gongza Ney holds the treasure box, the shoe of Guru Padmasambhava, the devil’s egg, and many other relics.
There are also the wall paintings of Chenrezig (God of Compassion), Jitsuen Dema (God of Wealth), Tshangpa Gyarey, Tshepag Mei (God of Long Life), Dolkar (White Tara), Dorji Namgyelma, Kings of Four Directions, Gyalpo Songtsen Gampo, Naro Tapa, Kuenkhyen Pekar, Gyalpo Rigdhen, Jigten Wangchuk, Jittsuen Jampelpang (God of Knowledge), and Dorji Sempa.
Every year, in the 4th month of the Bhutanese calendar, Tshampa Dawa sponsors the program and observes Nyungnye. Patronaged by the people of Khamdang and Toedtsho, Nyungnye is also observed in the 6th month. Tshechus and other religious events are performed on favorable days wherever possible. Garab Rinpoche’s followers from Rangjung and neighboring villages practice Throema.
The main protective deity of Gongza Nye is Goenyen Chophel (it is preserved in glass on the altar of Gomphu Kora) and there is a script for this Soelkha (offerings) of the protective deity. So, with different visitors and pilgrimages coming to this Ney, smoking drugs, and unhealthy activities are strictly prohibited.
Best Time to Visit Gongza Ney
The best time to visit the Ney is in spring and winter. The right time to visit Gungja Ney is between October and April. At this time, the water level would have gone down and sacred sites and objects along the river banks could also be seen. Many sacred sites are submerged in the swelling river during the summer, and the Trashi Yangtse’s heat makes travel difficult. The area is full of oddly shaped rocks and can be perilous during monsoons. People usually visit the site between September and March.
You can contact Tshampa Dawa at 17703821.
Accommodation at Gungja Ney
The Gongza Ney has a guesthouse and toilet built by the Toedtsho Gewog Administration.
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