Singye Dzong, Lhuentse, Bhutan - Part 1 of 3 (The Journey)

There are five main sacred places associated with Guru Rinpoche who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. It is called sacred place of the body, speech, mind, qualities and activity. Singye Dzong is considered the most sacred place associated with activity while other four main sacred places are in Tibet. There are eight sacred places in Singye Dzong– all described as Dzongs (Gawa Dzong, Tsemo Dzong, Rinchen Dzong, Duelwa Dzong, Namkha Dzong, Dorji Dzong and Pema Dzong). One will take a day to visit all these Dzongs and their Duthroeds. It takes another day and a half to visit Tshokar Tshona and Terday Lhatsog. Three hours walk down towards east is the Rolmateng / Relmoter Ney whereby one may take another day to visit all the sacred places there. There is a huge rock bearing the shape of Cymbal(relmo) from where one can hear the sounds of relmo beating during auspicious day. Dochen Amulika, a huge rock in the forest where the footprints of various wild animals can still be seen is believed to be a place where the Guru Rinpoche preached them not to hurt each other. Other neys seen there are Guru’s Zhugthri, Chagkar, Guru’s Drubchu and sacred meditating caves. According to the description of the sacred places, a visit to Singye Dzong shall liberate oneself from being born in lower realms and fulfill whatever one wishes and prays for his life. It takes three days to reach Singye Dzong (4482masl) from Khoma village. One has to make two night halts on the way – first night at Khomagang or Tsikhang(2750masl) and second night at Thangkarmo(3050masl). Thangkarmo is located in the wilderness with no villages nearby except for a small guesthouse.