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Singye Dzong is a sacred site of Guru Rinpoche’s enlightened activity located in Khoma Gewog under Lhuentse Dzongkhag at an altitude of more than 4482 meters above sea level. The Dzong is called Singye Dzong since the Dzong (rock) resembles a lion. Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal discovered Singye Dzong Ney in the 8th century.

According to the descriptions of sacred sites, a visit to Nering Senge Dzong is said to free oneself from being born in lower realms and fulfill whatever wishes and prayers one has for life. However, Sengye Dzong Neykor is considered one of the most arduous and sacred pilgrimages in eastern Bhutan.

Singye Dzong is one of the three holiest Neys of Guru Rimpoche in Bhutan, the other two being Paro Taktsang Monastery and Baylangdra Ney.

How to Trek to Singye Dzong

Singye Dzong is located near the Tibetan border in Lhuentse, within the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary. Singye Dzong is a three-day hike from Khomazam of Khoma village.

There are no shops after passing Khoma village so one must carry provisions for the entire pilgrimage. However, you can hire horses from the locale. Take horses from the Tsango and Relmoteng communities and begin the journey from there. A one-way horse ride can cost Nu 3,500 or more. Anyone wishing to hire horses may consult Mr. Sithar Tshering, Gup of Khoma Gewog at 17704198 or Mr. Pema Tshering, Mangmi at 17303515 before one week in advance to make necessary arrangements.

The journey includes wooden bridges, a wide footpath, signage, and resting places. The swift-flowing river that starts from one of the Senge Dzong lakes accompanies the traveler throughout the trip.

On the first day, you will halt a night at Khomagang or Tsekang (2733) after walking for more than seven hours. From Tsikhang, the second-day trek ends at Thangkarmo (3045m) after traveling for more than 7 hours. Singye Dzong is a 9-hour walk from Thangkarmo on the third and final day trek.

Also Read: How to Trek to Aja Nye

Singye Dzong Route Map

1. Khoma village to Momling: 2 hours;
2. Momling to Changshingdung: 1 hour;
3. Changshingdung to Khomagang: 3 hours; or Changshingdung to Tsekang: 4 hours. First night halt.
4. Khomagang/Tsekang to Tsekang Gongma: 2 hours 30 minutes/1 hour 30 minutes;
5. Tsekang Gongma to Chuna: 2 hours 30 minutes;
6. Chuna to Thangkarmo: 3 hours 30 minutes. Second night halt.
7. Thangkarmo to Toto Draphu: 2 hours;
8. Toto Draphu to Terja: 2 hours 30 minutes;
9. Terja to Duksum: 1 hour;
10. Duksum to Singye Dzong: 3 hours 30 minutes. Final destination.

Khoma Village > Khomagang or Tsekang > Thangkarmo > Singye Dzong

The Six Wondrous Marks of Senge Dzong

In his Liberative biography, Terton Ratna Lingpa (1403-1478) mentions the six wonderful marks as follows:

“On the right, the Pema Dzong of Heroes resembles a standing golden Vajra. What a huge wonder that this is the sacred place where the unchanging reality, the absolute essence, can be attained! On the left, the Rinchen Dzong of heroines resembles a mound of the five precious jewels. What a magnificent wonder that it is the sacred site to practice Tsalung and the technique route, and where one can achieve effortlessly! The white-cliff Senge Dzong in the center, which resembles a King on his throne, is the sacred site for completing the four types of enlightened activity and for fulfilling one’s every wish, what a wonderful wonder! The sacred place where one can have an unending bliss-emptiness experience and expand one’s experienced vision higher and higher is the front hill, which resembles a queen making an offering. What a wonderful gift it is to be able to achieve the siddhis! In the foreground of the Yui (turquoise) Dzong of Nering, a river bearing the eight qualities runs smoothly. Its source is inexhaustible by nature. What a wonderful miracle that consciousness becomes fresh naturally here! This sacred place has the appearance of a flowering lotus. It is a sacred place where sky-farers flock indefinitely and where gods and demons converse. What a wonderful miracle that it causes sadness toward samsara! These six types of wondrous marks, I noticed them in these ways as I studied”.

Also Read: The Importance of Tango Choying Dzong

Sacred Relics to See at Singye Dzong

• Eight sacred Dzongs;
• A Duethroe;
• The body image of Guru Rinpoche;
• The imprint of Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal;
• The rock where Guru imprisoned 108 mythical Garudas;
• Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal’s Draphu;
• A flat rock where all the animals were believed to have gathered to receive teachings from Guru Rinpoche;
• A rock that turns red whenever a person dies in Kurtoe;
• Phurpa Terma (daggers) which Guru Rinpoche discovered from Senge Dzong.

Also Read: Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites

Historical Significance of Singye Dzong

According to King Sindhu Raja’s biography, Guru Rinpoche arrived at Bumthang for the second time via Khempa Jong and Nering Singye Dzong’s cave from Tibet. Guru Padmasambhava came with a mission of subduing the demon King Khikharathoed, who had fled Tibet and established his demon kingdom in Khempajong in the eighth century.

Guru Rinpoche finally subdued the demon King Khikharathoed at Khempajong, then moved to Singay Dzong and undertook intense meditation.

The history of Singye Dzong states that Guru Rinpoche spent three months undertaking accomplishment practices and blessed the place as the place of His enlightened activity. According to the description given to Tshangkha Rinpoche Lama Norbu Wangchuk by Rahor Choedrak Rinpoche, Singye Dzong is one of the most sacred places of Guru Rinpoche’s enlightened activity. The Tamboura, a Lute, a condensed biographical supplication to Khandro Yeshe Tshogyal – authored by Pema Garwang Lodoe Thaye, also mentions Senge Dzong’s sacredness. Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal discovered Singye Dzong.

Senge Dzong is one of Guru Rinpoche’s eight great Yang Oen Caves where he performed accomplishment practices. According to the Guru’s Chronicle of Golden Rosary, Yangdzong, Chimphu, Kharchu, Sheldrak Monkha Nering, Taktshang Sengephug, Shampo Gang, Drakmar, and Yama Lung are the eight magnificent Yang-oen rocky caves where Guru Rinpoche meditated.

Also Read: Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), the Sacred Place of Guru Rinpoche’s Enlightened Mind

The Importance of Singye Dzong

Singye Dzong is one of Guru Rinpoche’s eight great Yang Oen Caves where he performed accomplishment practices for three months and blessed the place as the place of His enlightened activity. It is also the sacred place from where Guru Rinpoche took the form of Dorje Drolo and flew to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) on a flaming tigress. A visit to Senge Dzong, according to the descriptions of sacred sites, is said to free oneself from being born in lower realms and fulfill whatever wishes and prayers one has for his life.

Singye Dzong gained religious significance and popularity in the 19th century when treasure discoverer Zilnon Namkha Dorji unearthed a treasure, Tse-Drup-Chimi-Sogthig from the Sengye Dzong vicinity. The treasure contains religious scripts of Buddha Amitayus, including cures for disease, evil, and war and the ways to prolong life.

Description of Senge Dzong

There are eight sacred Dzongs. They are Singye Dzong, Gawa Dzong, Rinchen Dzong, Tsemo Dzong, Dulwa Dzong, Namkha Dzong, Drakri Dzong, and Pema Dzong. Singye Dzong and Gawa Dzong are the two main fortresses.

All these Dzongs are in the form of rocks transformed and embedded by Guru Rinpoche. Though they are not real Dzongs, it is believed that the rocks will open up and become Dzongs when prophecy befalls. The eight Dzongs in the form of rocks are believed to be the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche. There is a Duethroe, a cremation ground in each Dzong. It is believed that laying on these ground and performing an artificial cremation ceremony will receive Wangku from Guru Rinpoche.

Singye Dzong is filled with many relics like Guru Rinpoche’s body image, Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal’s imprint, and the rock where Guru imprisoned 108 Garudas. You can also see Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal’s Draphu, the cave where Khandro meditated. Other features are Guru Rinpoche’s religious texts and a rock that turns red. This rock is believed to change its color to red whenever a person dies in Kurtoe. It is said that the redder color covers the stone, the greater the number of people who are said to have died.

On the opposite side of Senge Dzong, is a flat rock where animals are believed to have gathered to receive teachings from Guru Rinpoche. There is another rock nearby since all animals could not fit on the first rock. On both boulders, there are different footprints of various animals. You can also see the Guru’s saddle and Garuda’s egg.

Yumtharma Lake, Tshokar (White Lake), Tshonag (Black Lake), and Terdha Latsho are other important sites around the Senge Dzong vicinity.

Singye Dzong Monastery

Singye Dzong has a monastery. Phurpa Terma is the main relic of Singye Dzong Lhakhang. The monastery also houses several treasures discovered by Guru Rinpoche from the Singye Dzong Lake. Guru Rinpoche revealed five Phups (religious daggers) from the lake after conquering the lake deity.

Among the five Phups, one appears to be without a wing. When the next eon comes, it is believed that the same lake will resurface at the Senge Dzong and all five Phups will be drowned again. Guru Rinpoche will then return to this location to reveal the treasures (Phubs) in complete form.

Currently, the area has a mediation center that accommodates 12 monks in a three-year retreat, and two main monasteries are Gawa Dzong and Singye Dzong.

Best Time for Singye Dzong Trek

May to the second week of October is the season during which it is advisable to visit Singye Dzong. The best season for the Singye Dzong pilgrimage runs from September to November. The last week of September to the second week of October is the best season as there shall be no rainfall and snowfall. However, due to mud in the summer and snow during the winter and spring, the only time the paths are accessible is during October. All visitors must obtain a travel permit from Khoma Gup and before obtaining the permit one must undergo proper medical checkups to prepare for the trip. Be aware of the bears. You can go on Singye Dzong Neykor with the Bhutan Pilgrimage Package.

Please Note: Singye Dzong is restricted to foreigners. The site is not open to tourists, and foreigners need a special permit from the Department of Culture to visit Singye Dzong.

You can contact the caretaker Sangay Tshering at 17561618.

Accommodation at Singye Dzong

Tarayana Foundation, with the sponsorship of Richard Blum, the founder and chairman of the American Himalayan Foundation, has built a six-quarter guesthouse below the Khoma Gewog office to assist economically disadvantaged pilgrims. The free facility provides bedding and cooking services for around 40 people.

For accommodation along the way to Singye Dzong, you can take your tents or stay in a guesthouse. There is a guesthouse in Tsekang, a day’s walk from Khoma, two at Thangkarmo to halt on the second day, and around four to five at the Senge Dzong area. To avoid accommodation problems you are advised to carry your own tent, especially during the peak season.

What to Bring on a Singye Dzong Pilgrimage Trek

To Singye Dzong, one should carry warm clothes and a good sleeping bag. The routes are mostly wet, so everyone should take a good trekking boot and comfortable walking shoes. Shoe gaiters are highly recommended.

What do people do to preserve the Singye Dzong?

To preserve Singye Dzong, the site is not open to tourists, and foreigners need a special permit from the Department of Culture to visit. To preserve its sacredness, the government has no immediate plans to connect Singye Dzong with a road. The local community is also educated about the importance of preserving Singye Dzong.

What do people think about Singye dzong?

People think of Singye Dzong as one of Guru Rinpoche’s eight great Yang Oen Caves where he performed accomplishment practices for three months and blessed the place as the place of His enlightened activity. They also believe that a visit to Singye Dzong will free oneself from being born in lower realms and fulfill whatever wishes and prayers one has for his life.

How do people promote the Singye dzong?

People promote Sengye Dzong by providing information and facilitating visits for pilgrims by the local communities, local tour operators, and travel agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Singye Dzong Located?

Singye Dzong is located near the Tibetan border in Khoma Gewog under Lhuentse Dzongkhag, 4482 meters above sea level. It is a three-day hike from Khoma village.

Who discovered Singye Dzong?

The Singye Dzong was discovered by Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal.

Why is Singye Dzong important?

Singye Dzong is important as it is one of Guru Rinpoche’s eight great Yang Oen Caves where he performed accomplishment practices for three months and blessed the place as the place of His enlightened activity. It is also the sacred place from where Guru Padmasambhava took the form of Dorje Drolo and flew to Paro Taktsang on a flaming tigress.

Who built Singye Dzong?

Singye Dzong is not a real Dzong and is in the form of rocks transformed and embedded by Guru Rinpoche. Senge Dzong Lhakhang was built in the 19th century.

When was Singye Dzong built?

Singye Dzong was not built but is in the form of rocks transformed and embedded by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century.

How can I get permission to visit Singye Dzong?

The permit is required for all visitors, including locals and foreigners to visit Senge Dzong. You must obtain a travel permit from the Khoma Gup. Foreigners need a special permit from the Department of Culture to visit the site. Contact your tour operator in advance about your plans.

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