Shugdra is one of Guru Rimpoche’s four cliffs (Dra-Zhi) located in the upper Choekhor-toed valley under Kharsa village of Bumthang at an elevation of 2680 meters. Choedrak in Chumey, Kunzangdrak, and Thowadrak in Tang Valley, are the other three cliffs in the Bumthang Dzongkhag of central Bhutan.
This sacred cliff, also known as the Chungchen Khading Dra (the cliff looks like a flying Garuda) or Chung Dra was blessed by Guru Rinpoche and concealed numerous treasures. Later, Terton Pema Lingpa is believed to have discovered many treasures from the cliff.
Shugdra is one of the Four cliffs (Dra Zhi) of Guru Rinpoche in Bumthang Valley where he visited and meditated
to acquire the spiritual power to subdue Shelging Karpo. It is said to be strategically situated at the meeting point of the rivers flowing from three valleys. A private family manages the sacred site.
How to Reach Shugdra
The sacred Shuk Drak cliff is a 45-minute drive on a farm road above Thangbi Mani Lhakhang from Chamkhar town to the base of the site and a 20-minute walk uphill through the dense forest. Shukdra is at a walking distance of 30 minutes from Kharsa Primary School.
Shugdrak Hike: The trek up to the temple is rather straightforward, and the view from the top is breathtaking. After passing Thangbi Goenpa, the trail begins. It is 2 kilometers from Thangbi and takes around an hour.
Sacred Relics to See at Shugdra Goenpa
- Meditation Cave of Guru Rinpoche;
- Handprint, Footprint, and Boot Print of Guru Rinpoche;
- Self-Arisen A (ཨ);
- Guru Rinpoche’s walking stick;
- Footprint and Holy Water of Khandro.
Also Read: Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites
Historical Significance of Shudrak
While Guru Rinpoche was giving teachings on Sanga Dorji Thekpa to King Sindhu Raja and his families, there lived an evil spirit named Sinpo Gajed who was torturing the people of the locality. Therefore, Guru and Khandro meditated in the cave of Drakmar Dorji Tsegpa, Vajra Piled Red Cave to gain the power to tame him. Guru transformed into the ferocious Wangda Padma Thoedthreng Throwo Rolpaiku and subdued all of them including their leader Sin Gyal Maha Raja Chhagja Zhi who was buried face-up with marks (shuel) of guru’s footprints over it. Thus the site came to be called by the name Shuel Drak, (cliff with marks). However, over the years it was mispronounced as Shudrak.
The sites of Shugdrak are further subdivided into three: Drakar Namkha Dzong at the upper end; Duedul Singye Dzong in the middle; and Chungchen khading Dzong at the foothills collectively known as Shudrak.
According to the biography of King Sindhu Raja called The Clear Mirror:
“(Guru Rinpoche) arrived at Shukdrak in the form of Blood Drinking Wrathful Padma, meditated on top of the cliff resembling a Kilaya and subdued all the hostile demons. He left imprints of his body, hand and foot on the rock, bound all the local guardian (spirits) through his powerful oaths and transformed them into dharma protectors.”
Many lamas chose Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cliff as a retreat site. Terton Pema Lingpa is said to have discovered many treasures from the cliff subsequently. However, it was made known only in the 19th century when Terton Rinchen Lingpa unveiled treasures from the sacred site.
Rigdzin Khamsum Yongdröl, the eighth Bhakha Tulku and close friend of Bhutan’s first monarch spent time in retreat here. After leaving Tibet for Bhutan in the early 1960s, the Tenth Bhakha Rinpoche also meditated there.
Description of Shugdra Goenpa
There are many stories about how Shugdra got its name. Shugdra is derived from Shugposhing (Juniper tree), Guru Rinpoche’s walking stick, which he left at the cliff to benefit Sentient creatures. As a result, it’s known as Shug-Juniper Tree and Drag-Cliff. As Guru Rinpoche sat and meditated on the cliff, some people called it Zhugdrak. The most well-known name is Chungchen Khading Dra, the cliff resembling a huge flying Garuda. As a result, locals refer to it as Chung Dra. Some people even call it Shuel Dra, the last cliff of the four to be blessed by Guru Rinpoche.
Also Read: Dra Zhi, the Four Great Meditation Cliffs of Guru Rinpoche in Bumthang
The sacred place features a meditation cave, Guru Rinpoche’s handprint, footprint, and body print. It also has Khandro’s footprint and holy water.
Also Read: Drupchhu or Holy Waters in Bhutan: Beliefs and Benefits
The Shuk Drak Goenpa is located in Bumthang’s upper Choekhor valley. The Shuk Drak Lhakhang was built by Garpa Nado in 1944 in the late 19th century. According to the oral tradition, Garpa Nado was herding cows when he ran into a young child who requested him to go to a cave, showed him the little statue of Guru Rinpoche, and then vanished. He chose to clear the trees surrounding the cave after being amazed by the blessing. He later constructed a small Lhakhang next to the cave where Guru used to meditate.
Shuk Drak Goenpa
Shugdra Lhakhang is naturally formed from the hill and the shape of the cave defines its design. A staircase naturally modified from the cliff leads to the Lhakhang. The Lhakhang is a two-storied structure built in the middle of the cliff using mud plaster, stone masonry, and timber. A cliff edge forms the part of the exterior wall of the Lhakhang. The main relic is the statue of Guru Rinpoche discovered by Garpa Nado.
Later, the Lhakhang was extended. However, the extended spaces of Lhakhang were limited due to the initial structure and the available space. This has led to the irregular shape of the Shugdrak Goenpa Lhakhang.
Shuk Drak Goenpa Festival
To preserve the culture and traditions, forefathers had introduced special rituals. For example, the Zhithro ritual is performed annually on the 11th month corresponding to the winter solstice, and Choetshog is performed annually on the 4th day of the 6th month corresponding to the First Sermon of Lord Buddha.
Best Time to Visit Shudrak Goenpa
There is no perfect time for pilgrimage. Shuk Drak Goenpa is considered a year-round destination. You don’t need to visit the sacred sites at a specific time to seek blessings. Nonetheless, spring and autumn are still regarded as the ideal seasons to travel to avoid the rainy season. The spring and fall seasons last from March to May and September to November, respectively. This is the time of year when flowers bloom and the weather is pleasant.
If you go deep enough, the pilgrimage site can take up to two days. So, plan according to your time. You can visit many major pilgrimage sites of Bumthang with the Bhutan Pilgrimage Package. You can contact the site manager, Aum Naley at 17617539.
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