This region that spans from 2,600-4,500m is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava and the tertons (“religious treasure-discoverers”) still linger in this sacred region.
Bumthang Dzongkhag is located in the Northern part of the country bordered by Lhuntse Dzongkhag in the East, Trongsa and Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag in the West, Zhemgang to the South and Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the North. It has an approximate area of 2708.45sq.kms with an elevation ranging from 2400m to 6000m above sea level.
Constructed in 1549 by the great grandfather of the first Shabdrung, the dzong was initially built as a monastery. It was upgraded in 1646, after the Shabdrung had firmly established his power. Jakar Dzong is now used as the administrative center for Bumthang valley, and also houses the regional monk body.
This deep blue and alluring lake is one of the most sacred sites in the region and relates to the famous treasure revealer, Terton Pema Lingpa. Following a prophecy by Guru Rinpoche, Terton Pema Lingpa unearthed a treasure from the bottom of the lake. He dived into the lake with a burning butter lamp and reappeared with the butter lamp still burning and a chest and scroll of paper in his hand (treasures). It is believed the lake reveals some ominous signs to the lucky visitors.
It is a very important monument in the history of Bhutan. There are three temples in a row enclosed by 108 Chortens. A short distance beyond a small ridge is a spring believed to have been taken out by Guru Rimpoche.
The temple is already a centre for tourists and is less than10 minutes drive from the main town of Chamkhar. It is one of the 108 temples built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in one day during the 7th century. The most popular festival here is the Jampa Lhakhang Drub which is celebrated from the 15th to the 19th day of the 9th month of the Bhutanese calendar.
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 legend an old woman sitting outside her house was visited by a lama asking for a drink of water. When she came out with the water, the lama had vanished leaving behind only a sack. Out of curiosity, she checked the bag and found the statue that is now displayed annually. This relic has been passed on from generation to generation and is still owned by the descendants of the woman.
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.
It has beautiful temples and a museum reflecting the medieval way of life in Tang. It is the ancestral home of the descendants of Dorji Lingpa, including Tsokey Dorji, Trongsa Penlop (governor of Trongsa) in the early part of the 19th century.
Address: Babesa old high way near dantak, Thimphu, Bhutan
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