Old and Young alike instinctively turns prayer wheels at every passing,Fingers grumplinig over Mala beads
Bumthang is often referred to as the ‘Switzerland of the East’. Its wide open valleys, its snow capped mountains, its green country side, its fast flowing mountain streams and its easy paced life all give it’s a Swiss like look and feel. But, this ‘Switzerland of the East’ has more to offer through its beautiful temples and monasteries that offer a rich spiritual experience. Typically, most tourists to Bhutan visit Paro and Thimphu and if time permits they make their way to Bumthang
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The Bumthang region has four major valleys : Choskhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. The Dzongs and the most important temples are in the large Choskhor valley, commonly referred to as Bumthang valley. There are two versions of the origin of the name Bumthang. The valley is supposed to be shaped like a Bumpa, a vessel that contains holy water, and Thang meaning flat place. The religious name suggestion to the sacred character of the region that have many important temples and monasteries in such a small area in Bhutan.
Historically, Bumthang is the most important district (dzongkhag) in Bhutan. It’s is the cultural heartland of the country, home to some of the most ancient Buddhist sites. The district has four gewogs or administrative blocks: Chhoekhor, Chhume, Tang, and Ura. The scenic valleys of Bumthang are famed for their natural beauty because of which the district attracts a large number of tourists each year. Tourists compare Bumthang to Switzerland, for its low-lying valleys and pasturelands
The district has breweries, wineries, fruit and honey-based cottage industries, and the popular Swiss Dairy Farm. The regional cuisine includes buckwheat pancakes called Khuli and buckwheat noodles called Puta. Bumthang also produces Yathra, a handspun weave made of yak hair and sheep wool.
This is the place of the famous yatra wool of Bhutan. Today, a lot of residents of Chume Valley have become very rich due to rich cultivation of potatoes, but the place got its name first from yatra wool, which is made from the sheep living in this region. The women of Chumey dye this wool and make a lot of interesting wool products that include sweaters, blankets, bags, scarves and much more.
The Bumthang Owl Trek offers an invigorating experience of the culture and environment of the country. It is a moderate 3-day hiking route which starts from Menchugang and ends in Jakar Dzong. The trail has an abundance of flora and fauna, and the panoramic views of the valleys beneath the hill tops and the Himalayas spread over a broad horizon would be an experience that one shall cherish for a lifetime.
Revered as one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, the Jamey Lakhang dates back to the 7th century. This is the place where all the famous festivals of Central Bhutan are held. It is believed that King Songtsengampo built this temple on the knees of a demoness who was occupying Tibet and threatening Buddhism.
The Jakar Dzong or the fortress of the white bird was founded in 1549 by the Drukpa lam Ngagi Wangchuck. It sits on top of a hill that overlooks the Choekar town and its location offers a wide open view of the Bumthang valley. The headquarters of the Bumthang district is established here, but there are no resident monks here. This dzong can be seen from almost anywhere in the Choekar town.
