|
|
Gangtey Goenpa |
|
|
Gangtey Goenpa is on the way to Tongsa. Its almost 60 KMs away from Wangdue and the way is covered by the dense forests, mainly made up of oak trees and Rhododendrons. Gangtey Goenpa is the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan and is situated on a ridge overlooking the Phobjikha Valley. According to a legend Gangtey Goenpa was founded by the grandson of Pema lingpa, Gyalse Pema Thinley in 1613 and later was expanded by Tenzin Legpau Dhendup. It is currently undergoing a major renovation scheduled to be completed by 2008.
|
Phobjikha |
|
|
Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the periphery of the north western tip of the Black Mountain National Park at the altitude of 9,840 feet. The valley is a wide, beautiful alpine wetland valley and is a conservation area and lies on the northern boundary of the Jowo Durshing range. The hill side vegetation is mostly pine forest, interspersed with Rhododendron trees. Phobjikha valley is also one of the roosting grounds of the Black-necked cranes that migrate each year in winter from its northern habitats in Tibet and Siberia. These elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of the March. RSPN and Phobjikha community are now working together to protect the habitat of endangered Black Necked Cranes.
|
Bey Langdra Nye |
|
The holy site of pilgrimage known as Bey Langdra Nye is located in the center of a ridge at Bey Yul in Kazhi geog under Wangdue Dzongkhag. It is about 31 kms away from Gangthangkha (Wangdue town) till the feeder road end point near the Dupkhang. From this point it takes an hour and half on foot to reach the Bey Langdra Nye. The actual starting point of the Nye is from the bridge that stands across the Beychu near a rock located in the center of the stream. It is believed that the rock is the key to the entrance of the Nye. Prayer flags have been hoisted over that particular rock.
Sometime in the last decade of the 8th century Guru Rinpoche had come to know that a demon was harassing the people and sentient beings of that locality and decided to pay a visit. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche reached the present Goensar village and named it as such meaning “new guest” in this village (near Damchethang) for the first time and his body print (kundra) is visible on one of the rocks in that village. Above the village he had released holy water (drubchu) which is still found today in a pond.
On the way to the Nye there is a hidden cave where it is believed that Khandums used to reside. In that cave there is holy water dripping from the over head stalactites and stalagmites.
Guru Rinpoche, on the way to Langdra, reached a place, which at present day is called Womina, and took rest. The people of that locality offered him milk. The milk spilled from the cup on the flat rock where he was seated. This was seen as an auspicious sign. Till today the stain impressions made by the spilt milk is clearly visible. This is how the place came to be known as Womina.
Guru Rinpoche had also come with a walking stick/ staff. He had prayed that as a Lungten (good symbol) for his holy visit his staff should bloom into a tree, if not the staff would wither and die. Immediately his staff flourished into a Cyprus tree and he named the village Bey Tsenden Tsawa. An annual tsechu is performed near that tree on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Bhutanese calendar. The Zhabje Lhakhang contains small rocks which have the finger prints and foot prints of Guru Rinpoche. That’s why it is called Zhabje Lhakhang.
Above the Bey village there is a cave in the forest where Guru meditated. It is believed that there are 4 hidden treasures in that cave. After his meditation he walked to an open field and took rest. While he was resting demons had come to attack him but his whole body erupted into flames and burned those evil spirits and cremated on a rock oven which is visible even today. Therefore, the place is called Sebithang. He gave teachings sitting on a rock to the subdued spirits of the locality. Then he transformed a rock into a conch shell (dungkar) which exists even today. His seat (Zhugthrig) and the transformed holy scriptures made of rock exist on the same spot.
Hereafter, he reached his destination (Langdra Nye) and meditated for 7 days. During his meditation the spirits of that area came to attack him in the form of a dark red bull. Guru Rinpoche transformed himself into a fearful Dorji form and injured the bull almost fatally with his sword. The vanquished spirit promised he would not attack or harm anyone anymore and would hereafter support Guru Rinpoche. Therefore, the place is treated as a holy spot and is called Bey Langdra ( bull rock ) Nye as Guru Rinpoche had suppressed the evil and blessed that area. The spirit was transformed from a bull into a deity and made the chief protector of Langdra Nye.
On his return journey after subduing all the demons Guru Rinpoche danced and made merry with the Khandums opposite the Bay Tsenden Tsawa village in an open field.. Their foot prints are visible even today.
|
|
| |
|
