Places of Interest in Bhutan
PUNAKHA: - (Altitude 4420 feet)
Punakha lies at an altitude of 4420 ft and is the most fertile valley in the entire country. Punakha is blessed with temperate climate and is the winter seat of Je Khenpo (chief Abbot). It was the capital of Bhutan till 1955.later it was shifted to Thimphu. The Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers also considered as the male and female rivers respectively run through the it. From here one can a splendid view of the distant Himalaya at Dochula pass (alt. 3100 m).
WHAT TO SEE IN PUNAKHA
PUNAKHA DZONG
 Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built it in 1637 strategically at the junction of Po Chu and Mo Chu rivers to serve as the administrative and religious centre of the region. The Dzong was damaged by an earthquake and also caught fire four times but it has been restored by the present king. This dzong is open to visitors only during the festival seasons and when the monk body heads back to Thimphu in the summer seasons.
DO JHA GHA LAM
It is a very interesting place to visit where one can get to see a huge rock split open. It appears as if a huge knife has cut the rock in two equal halves. The story goes that in the 17th century a great master freed his mother who was born as an ant in her present life from the big rock. This big rock stands testimony to that event.
KHAMSUM YULLEY NAMGYAL CHHORTEN
Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chhorten is a fine architectural and traditional manifestation whose details of constructional design are drawn from the scriptures and not from the technical books.it stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley. Over a period of eight and a half years many Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters, sculptors, etc build these sacred religious edifices, which will help to ward off negative forces, promote peace, stability and harmony in a changing world. it is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. it was Thragthung Dudjom Lingpa visualized it out of Buddhist treasure teachings. Her Majesty Queen Ashe Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk is the patron and moving force behind the construction of Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chhorten. It is dedicated for the well being of the kingdom and the benefit of all sentient beings, thereby suppressing all evil forces.
LIMUKHA
Limukha is a place known for its love of peace and tranquility. It is also said that During the medieval wars the people of Limukha always volunteered as peace negotiators. The red rice grown here by the farmers is also said to have medicinal values. It takes about two and a half hour hike to Limukha. To get to Limukha one has to walk across the suspension bridge in Punakha dzong following the farmhouses, which takes you towards the Dompala hills.
T ALO
At an altitude of 2,800 m lies The village of Talo along the hill slopes. Talo Sangnacholing is built on a plateau and has a majestic view of the surrounding villages. The women here are known for their beauty and grace.
BUMTHANG
At an altitude of 8,530 feet to 13,125 feet lies the interesting, religious valley which is also the home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. It is also considered as the heartland of the nation. It is in this place where tales of Guru Padsambhava and his reincarnates also known as “Lingpas” are still heard.
WHAT TO SEE IN BHUMTHANG
JAMBEY LHAKHANG
This monastery was built by Songtsen Gembo, a Tibetan king in 7th century. He is also believed to be the reincarnation of the Buddha of compassion. It is one of the 108 monasteries built by him to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region.
KURJE LHAKHANG
 The Kurjey Lhakhang consists of three temples. This place is located just above the Jambey Lhakhang. All the three temples are considered very sacred by the people, but the second or the middle temple is considered the most holy as it is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of Guru's body. The first temple or the one to the right was built in 1652 on the rock face where it is said the Guru meditated in the 8th century. Whereas The third temples was recently built by the present Royal Queen Mother. These three temples are surrounded by 108 Chorten wall, symbolic of each joint of the human body.
TAMSHING LHAKHANG
This temple was founded in 1501 by Terton Perna Lingpa who is also considered as the re-incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. This temple is located opposite Kurje Lhakhang on the other side of the river. The monastery is famous for the religious paintings it has which includes the 1000 Buddhas and also the 21 Taras (female form of Buddhistava).
TANGBI GOEMBA
The Tangbi Goemba was Founded by Shamar Rimpoche of Karma Religious School in 1470. it lies to the north of of Kurje Lhakhang and it is built in the middle of a wide fertile plateau which overlooks the river. The temple has two sanctuaries and a temple of terrifying deities. on the ground floor of The sanctuary lies statues of the past, present and future Buddha and three clay statues dating back to the end of 15th century. It also has paintings depicting Guru Rimpoche's heaven.
MEBAR TSHO (Fire Burning Lake)
This lake is where Terton Pemalingpa, the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava discovered religious treasures in the 12th century. The people of Bhutan visit the lake on auspicious days to offer prayers and they float butter lamps in the lake.
URA VILLAGE
At about one and a half hour drive from Bumthang leads us to the Ura village which lies in Tang Valley.on the way one gets a magnificent view of Mt.Gangkar Puensum. All the houses in this village are closely clustered. In 1986 a new Lhakhang was inaugurated which was dedicated to Guru Rimpoche. It contains paintings of the cycle of his teachings.
BHUTAN TOUR
TOUR#1
SILIGURI - PHUNTSHOLING - THIMPHU - PUNAKHA - PARO
(8 Days and 7 Nights)
-
 Day 1 » SILIGURI TO PHUNTSOLING N/S
Pick-up from Siliguri/ N.J.P/ IXB and transfer to Phuntsoling night stay at Hotel at Phuntsoling.
- Day 2 »
PHUNTSOLING TO THIMPHU N/S
After breakfast Phuntsoling local sightseeing (Crocodile Park & Monastery) & after Govt. formalities proceed to Thimpoo. night halt at Hotel at Thimpoo.
- Day 3 » THIMPHU LOCAL SIGHTSEEING N/S
After breakfast Thimpoo local sight seeing (Memorial Chhorten, Tashichho Dzong, National Library, Tango Goembe, Chari Goemba, Phajoding Monastery, Weekend market etc) and drive back to Thimpoo & night stay at Thimpoo.
- Day 4 » THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA
After early breakfast Thimpoo local marketing and proceed to Punakha en route sightseeing and night stay at Punakha .
- Day 5 » PUNAKHA SIGHT SEEING N/S
After breakfast full day local sight seeing at Punakha (Punakha dzong, Dho jha gha lam, Khamsum yuley chhorten, Limukha Talo etc.) evening free night stay at Punakha.
- Day 6 » PHUNAKHA TO PARO N/S
After breakfast proceed Punakha to Paro en route lunch night stay at Paro .
- Day 7 » PARO local S/S
After breakfast Paro S/S DRUGGYEL DZONG, RINPUNG DZONG , TA DZONG, TAKTSANG MONASTERY ,FARM HOUSES etc proceed to phuntsholing., or night stay at paro.
- Day 8 » PHUNTSHOLING to NJP or Paro to NJP
Drop at NJP/IXB.
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