Thuji Dra is one of the four cliffs of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo prophesied by Guru Rinpoche, at nearly 4,000 meters in Thimphu Dzongkhag.
Phajo Drugom Zhigpo founded Thujidra Temple in the 13th century. The name Thuje dra is derived from Phagpa Thujechenpo, “The Compassionate One,” which Phajo had seen in his vision while he meditated at the spot where the monastery stands today.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Thujidrag Goenpa during your Phajoding Monastery Hike. Thujidra is also an important stop if you are going on a Dungtsho hike. It is also part of the popular Druk Trek Path.
How to Reach Thuji Dra
Thujedra Temple is one of Bhutan’s highest monuments, at nearly 4,000 meters (13,125 feet) altitude. Only a handful of sites, such as the Lingzhi Yügyal Dzong along the northern border, are at greater altitudes.
Thujidra Hike: There are two ways you can hike to Thujedrak top. Both paths are equally fantastic, and the two paths meet in the middle, leading to Phajoding Monastery as one.
One is a steep climb from a secluded drive to the uppermost Mothithang. It is a 5 km uphill walk from Motithang and it takes approximately 4-5 hours for an amateur hiker to reach Phajoding Monastery from the capital city, Thimphu. Thuji Dra is about another 45-minute hike from Phajoding. People consider this route to be faster.
The second is a subtle climb from Sangaygang, where BBS Tower stands frustratingly. This trek offers a great view of the city and the vegetation changes as you ascend.
Sacred Relics to See at Thuji Dra
- The sacred cliff that Guru Rinpoche entrusted to Phajo;
- Phajo Drugom Zhigpo’s Drupchhu, famous for curing people with speech impediments;
- Khandro Sonam Peldon’s Drupchhu;
- Lam Gyalwa Shacha’s Drupchhu;
- Meditation center;
- Thujedrak monastery complex;
- Phajoding Monastery.
Also Read: Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan: His Visits to Bhutan and Sacred Sites
Historical Significance of Thuji Dra
According to Thuji Dra’s history, Phajo Drugom Zhigpo arrived in the area following a prophecy in which Guru Rimpoche spoke to him in a vision. While he was meditating at Taksang (Tigers Nest Monastery), Guru Padmasambhava appeared to him in an unmistaken, luminous vision and said:
“I am entrusting to you my twelve meditation places, consisting of four fortresses (dzongs), four cliffs (drak), and four great caves (phug); you have to plant the Victory Banner of Practice in all of these.”
Therefore, Thujedra is one of the four cliffs mentioned by Guru Rinpoche. The other three cliffs are Gomdra in Paro, Tshechudra in Gasa, and Dechendrak in Wangdue Phodrang.
As per the prophecy, Phajo meditated at Thujedrak for a month and had a vision of Phagpa Thujechenpo Chenrezig, “The Compassionate One” and was told to spread the Drukpa Kagyu.
To ascertain whether his teaching would spread in Bhutan, Phajo placed his walking stick into the cliff face and said ‘If my teachings were to spread, water would emerge from the rock face.’ The holy water emerged from the rock face, indicating the spread of his teaching. This holy spring water, Thuji Drak Drupchhu still flows from the cliff face.
Thujedrak also has a fascinating story about the waters held back by the mountain cave.
It is also a sacred site where Dampa, the son of Phajo, concealed the biography of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo in the form of a treasury (terma). Centuries later, Ngawang Tenzin, the son of Drukpa Kunley, an incarnation of Phajo’s son Gartoen, discovered the biography of Phajo in 1571 A.D.
Description of Thuji Dra
Thujedra overlooks Phajoding Monastery a few hundred meters downhill. Thuje dra is a sacred cliff that Guru Rinpoche entrusted to Phajo. A natural altar is carved into the rock adjacent to the temple and is believed to have been used by Phajo. It is said that anyone meditating in this place will achieve enlightenment in their life.
You can see the Drupchhu of Phajo, which is famous throughout the whole of Bhutan, for curing people with speech impediments. There is also Khandro Sonam Peldon’s Drupchhu and Lam Gyalwa Shacha’s Drupchhu.
Also Read: Drupchhu or Holy Spring Waters in Bhutan: Beliefs and Benefits
A white Chorten, Thujidra top, next to the temple is one of the most photographed sites overlooking the magnificent Thimphu Valley. Also, it is one of the best spots to photograph sunrises and sunsets while enjoying the scenic beauty of Mother Nature.
Thujedra Temple
Phajo Drugom Zhigpo founded the Thujedra Temple in the 13th century, and it was built on Thuji Drak, the cliff of compassion. It is said to be the first temple built by Phajo at such a high altitude.
The age of the present structures at Thujidrag Goenpa is unclear—most are probably reconstructions dating from the unification of Bhutan in the 17th century and later.
According to the World Monuments Fund, Thujedrak Monastery is the most significant structure in the Phajoding vicinity. Its complex of seven structures includes Thuji Dra, a meditation center hanging on the side of a sacred cliff of Guru Rinpoche.
The meditation sites of Thujidra above the Phajoding Monastery and Tango Choying Dzong are considered the most sacred sites of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo out of the twelve holy sites he established in the country.
Also Read Tango Choying Dzong, where Avalokiteshvara revealed himself as “the Wrathful Hayagriva”
Best Time to Visit Thuji Dra
The best time for the Thujidra hike is in spring (late February, March, April, and May) and autumn (end of September, October, November, and mid-December), when skies are clear and the high peaks are visible.
Accommodation at Thuje Drak
You can camp at the top of the Thujidra mountain or stay up with the monks of Phajoding Monastery.
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