Discover the Magic and Charm of Lhuentse Dzongkhag

Saidpiece
Mar 24, 2023
3 min read

Lhuentse Dzongkhag is a small and scenic district located in the eastern part of Bhutan. It is a place that is steeped in tradition and culture, and visitors to this region can expect to be greeted by friendly locals, beautiful landscapes, and plenty of opportunities for adventure and exploration. If you are planning a trip to Lhuentse Dzongkhag, here are some of the things that you should consider doing:

Lhuentse Dzong

Sitting atop a hill overlooking the Kurichu River is the grand fortress, widely recognized as Lhundub Rinchentse. Originally built by Nagi Wangchuk in 1552, the Trongsa Penlop, Chogyal Minjur Tempa reconstructed the fortress in 1654, which now serves as the religious and administrative center of the district. Within the dzong lie numerous sacred artifacts installed by the 4th Druk Desi Tenzin Rabgay, and visitors have the opportunity to explore seven Lhakhangs, provided they can obtain access from someone with the keys. With few tourists and hospitable resident monks, Lhuentse Dzong offers visitors more freedom to discover than any other dzong in Bhutan.

Khoma Village

Khoma is a picturesque village that is located in the Lhuentse district. It is known for its traditional weaving techniques, and visitors can see the weavers at work and purchase some of their beautiful textiles. The village is also home to a number of ancient temples and monasteries, making it a great place to learn about Bhutanese culture and history.

Takila Guru Statue

Located on the Takila mountain slope, which offers stunning views of the entire Tangmachu valley, is the world's largest statue of Guru Padmasambhava. With a total height of 173 feet, the statue is an imposing sight and belongs to the Tangmuchu community, where an old monastery (Lhakhang) also exists at the same site as the Guru statue.

According to sacred prophecies, the statue was built to prevent a war of horses in the Kurtoe valley. The great terton Lerab Lingpa (1856-1926) prophesied that a statue of Guru Nangsi Zilnoen should be built in order to prevent this war. Additionally, the late Lama Sonam Zangpo, the most revered Yogi of Bhutan in the 20th century, emphasized that a giant statue of Guru Rinpoche should be built in Takila, Lhuntse district in eastern Bhutan to ensure continued prosperity in the world, especially in Bhutan. The statue was built by the late Ven. Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche, who is one of the masters of the present 5th King of Bhutan.

Dungkar Naktshang

Dungkar Naktshang, which belongs to the Dungkar family, one of the noble lineages from Kurtoe, was the residence of Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal, the father of the Wangchuck dynasty. This ancient dwelling, known as Dungkar Chojie, is the ancestral abode of the Wangchuck Dynasty and boasts a stunning backdrop of towering mountains that overlook the small Dungkar village below. To reach Dungkar Lhakhang, which is home to numerous sacred relics and "Terma" discovered by renowned Terton like Pema Lingpa and Saint Desi Tenzin Rabgay, one must travel along a 40km dirt road from Lhuentse. Embarking on the Dungkar expedition is a thrilling and enchanting journey into Bhutan's history.

Kilung Lhakhang

While on the route towards Kurtoe Dungkhar, a twenty-minute drive from the Dzong lies the small Kilung village. Perched on a ridge with a breathtaking view of the Kurichu River is the Kilung Lhakhang. Inhabited by the Tshanglas since the late 1880s, this village was constructed on the former site of Kilung Gyalpo, a regional chieftain. The temple, which is a must-visit attraction in Lhuentse, contains the sacred chain mall that was once used to retrieve a statue that flew away from the Lhuentse Dzong.

In conclusion, Lhuentse Dzongkhag is a wonderful destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and culture of Bhutan. Whether you are interested in trekking, cultural exploration, or simply taking in the breathtaking scenery, there is something for everyone in this charming district.