Bumthang- the origin of the name is ascribed to the shape of the valley – that of a “Bumpa” a sacred Vase which usually contains holy water and placed at the alter of all temples and Monasteries, while second part of the name “thang” means a flat land. Sacred in character, Bumthang region has the highest number of temples and monasteries. Considered one of the most beautiful, this gentle green valley with its wide terraces enjoys a sense of space that is uncommon to Bhutan due to its mountainous terrain. There are lots of trails for hikes and light treks. Apart from the Jakar Dzong which houses the district head quarters, smaller monasteries are situated all over the valley. The great master Guru Padmasambhava visited the region and therefore his tales dominate the valley. The valley is home to the Jambay and Kurjey Lhakhangs where body imprints of Guru Rimpoche remains preserved upon a rock.
Ura Yakchoe
Festival Dates: 20-24 April 2024 Ura valley in Bumthang is known for the famous dance known as the Ura Yakchoe. The dance is performed during a festival that is held every May. During the festival a sacred and important relic is put on display so that the people can receive blessings from it. According to Read More…
Jambay Lhakhang Festival
Festival dates: 28 October – 1 November 2023, 18 – 21 September 2024 Jambay lhakhang is located in Bumthang and is situated on the way to the Kurjie Lhakhang. It’s a ten minutes drive to the temple from the Chamkhar town. Jambay Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in the kingdom. It was founded Read More…
Kurjey Lhakhang Festival
Festival dates: 16 June 2024 The festival takes place at Kurjey Temple, located at Kurjey in the Chokhor valley in Bumthang district. It is a 15 minute drive from Chamkhar town to arrive at the temple grounds. The history of the temples at Kurjey is associated with Sindhu Raja and Guru Rimpoche. Sindhu Raja invited Read More…
Matsutake Festival
Festival date: Celebrate the start of another mushroom season alongside the people of Ura. The season brings with it the opportunity to not only to sample some truly delicious meals but to cultivate a deeper insight into the rhythms of Bhutanese village life. Learn to identify and harvest the fabled wild Matsutake mushrooms of Bhutan. Read More…
Prakar Kuchhoed
Festival dates: 17 – 21 October 2024 The Prakar Tshechu or Festival is held in Bumthang for a period of three days during the months of October and November. Like any other festivals in Bhutan, the Prakar Tshechu revolves around the life story of Guru Padmasambava. However, one unique aspect of the festival is the Read More…
Nimalung Festival
Festival Dates: 14 – 16 June 2024 Nimalung Lhakhang is located in Chumey in Bumthang. It is approximately a 15 minute drive from the road that branches off from the village of Chumey. The Lhakhang was co-founded by Dasho Gonpo Dorji and Doring Trulku Jamyang Kunzang, the third mind-aspect reincarnation of Terton Jigme Lingpa in Read More…
Jakar Dzong
The Jakar Dzong or the “Castle of the White Bird” dominates the Chamkhar valley and overlooks the town. Constructed in 1549, by the Tibetan Lam Nagi Wangchuk, the Dzong played an important role as the fortress of defense of the whole eastern Dzongkhags. It also became the seat of the first king of Bhutan. A Read More…
Tamshing Lhakhang
Tamshing Lhakang (temple) Bumthang District of central Bhutan is the most significant Nyingmapa temple in Bhutan. The temple and monastery are exceptional for their direct link to the Bhutanese saint Pema Lingpa. Tamshing Lhakang (temple) Bumthang District of central Bhutan is the most significant Nyingmapa temple in Bhutan. The temple and monastery are exceptional for Read More…
Kenchogsum Lhakhang
Kenchosum Lhakhang, Bumthang (referred to as Tselung Lhakhang in Pema Kathang and Choekhor Lakhang during the time of Pema Lingpa) was built in the 9th century (the initial construction was started at the end of 8th century and completed in 9th century), upon the instruction of Guru Rinpoche. Guru Rinmpoche instructed King Thrisong Deutsen of Read More…
Meybartsho – The Burning Lake
Me-bar Tso (Me: Fire, Bar-Burning & Tso: Lake) or the Burning lake is another most holy and spiritual place in Bumthang flourish in the supernatural and the spiritual. Me-bar Tso is situated few kilometers away from Bumthang town and is another sacred place of Guru Rinpoche and Terton Pema Lingpa. Me-bar Tso or the burning Read More…
Wangdicholing Palace
Wangdicholing Palace is a normal structure that lack the fortifications and shielding walls which became typical aspects of later palaces and was built in the year 1857 on the site of the battle camp of the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel, father of the first King of Bhutan, Wangdicholing Palace is a normal structure that lack Read More…
Ugyen Chholing Palace (Museum)
Because of its association with the great Tibetan masters; Longchen Rabjam and Dorji Lingpa the Ogyen Choling estate is of considerable importance for Bhutan as well as for the Tibetan Buddhist world. The estate provides an excellent insight into the lifestyles and living conditions of a typical landed family over the last century. The heirs Read More…