Lhuentse
Lhuntse lies in the ancient Kurtoe region in the north eastern part of Bhutan. It is one of the remotest districts in Bhutan and the ancestral home of our Kings. Trongsa Penlop, Jigme Namgyal, the Father of our first King Ugyen Wangchuck originally comes from this place. Lhuntse is 77 Kms from Mongar and it is approximately 3 hour drive to reach Lhuntse from Mongar. The place hosts several sacred sites which are historically and spiritually important. The Land is mostly covered in dense coniferous forests and stark cliffs above river gorges makes it spectacular. The region is famous for textiles and its weavers for their distinct textile patterns. Kishuthara, a Bhutanese textile which is highly prized, comes from this region.
Places of Interest in Lhuntse
Lhuntse Dzong
The Dzong is also known as Lhundub Rinchentse. The Dzong was built in the year 1654 by the Trongsa Penlop Chogyal Minjur Tempa on the same site where a temple was built by Nagi Wangchu in the year 1552. The Dzong is built on a hill overlooking the Kurichhu River. It is the main administrative and religious building of the Lhuntse dzongkhag (District). The Dzong house sacred artefacts installed by the 4th Druk Desi, Tenzin Rabgay.
Takila Guru Statue
With a height of 173 feet, the world’s largest statue of Guru Padmasambhava magnificently stands on the slope of Takila Mountain. The place overlooks the beautiful valley of Tangmachhu and offer breathtaking views and photo opportunities.
The statue was built at the site where a Lhakhang belonging to the community of Tangmachhu existed. It is said that the statue was built after the prophesy of the the great terton Lerab Lingpa. The great Terton had prophesied that there would be a war of horses in Kurtoe valley and to prevent this war a statue of Guru Nangsi Zilnoen should be built. It was also emphasized by late Lama Sonam Zangpo, who was one of the most revered Yogi in Bhutan, that a giant statue of Guru Rinpoche should be built in Takila to ensure prosperity in Bhutan and in the world.
Considering the same, Late Ven. Khenpo Karpo Rinpoche who is one of the masters of the present 5th King of Bhutan, built the statue in the year 2008.
Dungkar Nagtshang
The Dungkar Nagtshang was the ancient home of the Dungkar Chojie, one of noble lineages from Kurtoe. This was also the home to the Trongsa Penlop, Jigme Namgyal, the father of the Wangchuck dynasty. We have to drive a distance of 40 km of rough road from Lhuentse to reach the Dungkar Nagtshang. It stands on the slopes of the mountains overlooking the tiny Dungkar village.
Jangchhubling Monastery
This monastery was founded in the 18th century by Pekar Gyatso. Till recently, the monastery was under the patronage of the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorji. As a nun, Ashi Wangmo (Daughter of the 1st King), lived in this monastery. The Monastery is connected by a feeder road.
Kilung Lhakhang
The Kilung Lhakhang is situated in the tiny village of Kilung, which is a twenty minutes of drive from the Dzong. The Kilung village is inhabited by the Tshanglas who settled here during the late 1880’s. The lhakhang is situated on a ridge overlooking the Kuri Chhu (River). The temple houses the sacred chain mall. It is said that this sacred chain mall was used to recapture a statue miraculously flew away from the Lhuentse Dzong.
Singye Dzong
The Dzong is located at a distance of a three days walk from Lhuntse Dzong at an altitude of more than 3000 M. The Dzong is one of the most important sites of pilgrimage in Bhutan as it is built on the main sacred site where Guru Rinpoche, the precious tantric master meditated.
Khoma Village
Located at a distance of about two hours walk from the Lhuntse Dzong, this village known throughout the country for its signature woven textile, the Kishuthara and it is a main destination for those tourists who are on a Bhutanese Textile tour and those who are interested in Bhutanese textile. The walk to the village is a pleasant journey through gentle slopes amongst the pine trees. Women of the village site in a makeshift textile cottage, weaving the intricate designs and patterns of the Kishuthara. The Kishuthara is one of the most expensive textile and buying one from here could be reasonable.
Gangzur Village
Around two kilometres from the Lhuntse Dzong is the small village of Gangzur. The village is famous for pottery and the women of the village are skilled artisans of this art. While at Gangzur you shall come across women displaying their skills.