Dremtse Nga Cham
Dremtse Nga Cham is
one popular mask dance
which originated Dremtse
a small hamlet in this
district. <<<More
one popular mask dance
which originated Dremtse
a small hamlet in this
district. <<<More
Mongar
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Cultural Tours
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Trekking Itineraries
The Significance of Mongar Dzong in Eastern Bhutan and places to see:
As Bhutan is predominantly a Buddhist country, Buddhism penetrated into all aspect of Bhutanes life for
the district administrator and the monk body. The word Dzong literally translated means a fortress. As
Bhutan is predominantly a Buddhist country, Buddhism penetrated into all aspect of Bhutanes life and
culture. Bhutanese people candidly found in the teaching of Buddha a source of deep peace, happiness
and fulfillment. Hence the Dzongs play an important role in the religious life of its people. Within the
structure of a Buddhist teaching, various methods were developed which were suited to different types
of individuals and all the more, its almost infinite dept and richness make it one of the word’s most
profound living tradition. Bhutan is now the only independent country in the world where Vajrayana
Buddhism is the state religion and upheld by both Government and people.
Vajrayana Buddhism is the state religion and upheld by both Government and people.
Mongar Dzong was built in 1930 and its design was similar to Lamai Geonpa in Bumthang, the official
residence of the 1st King Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck. Pristine trekking and pilgrimage opportunities
exist in the Mongar region where an area of ethereal natural beauty, lush and green abounds
everywhere.
1. Mongar Dzong
This Dzong was constructed in the year and is built to host the spiritual monks and as an administrative
Headquarter for the District. The Dzong festival Tsechu is held annually in the month of
November/December corresponding to 8-10th day of 10th month of Bhutanese calendar year. These
dates vary from year to year as the Bhudist calendar year has dual dates and months simillary absence
of dates and months. Astrologers normally finalises these dates before the year begins.
2.Yakgang Lhakhang.
It is located about an 20 minutes walk from the Mongar town ship. This privately owned monastery was
founded by Lama Sangdag, the 6th son of Terton Pema Lingpa, a Bhutanese Buddhist saint who lived
in Bhutan in the fifteenth century. He is well-respected, prominent figure in the history of Vajrayana
tradition that dominates the Himalayan region, but its especially in the kingdom of Bhutan that he is
loved as a folk hero and a spiritual master which is a source of national pride and inspiration. Rigzin
Pema Lingpa was the reincarnation of princess Pema Sel, the only daughter of Tibetan King Thrisrong
Deutsen.
The Yakgang monastery stands as one of the great cultural significance as it is a repository of a full
range of spiritual treasures and other sacred objects known to have revealed by Terton Pema
Lingpa. As Pema Lingpa is the quintessential Bhutanese master and was completely homegrown,
all his work for the benefit of beings happened here in Bhutan and he is really the epitome of Bhutan.
The teachings and religious practices are maintained without decline in values and behavior in strict
accordance with Peling traditions. This is the only monastery which is preserved untouched, modified in
its pure tradition and culture of Buddhism in the east.
1. Corresponding to Trel Da Tshechu commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche for 3
days on the 10 day of 5th Bhutanese month.The Yakgang monastery host Peling lineage.The above
Tshechu for three days. The Tshechu ( Tertoenpa Chham, naked dance similar to the festival at Jambay
Lhakhang, Bumthang normally goes for three days however due to financial problem it is shortened to
one day. Before the Mongar dzong was build the Yakgang Tshechu is the only Tshechu performed
annually to mark the annual festival at Mongar.
3. Drametse Monastery.
Ugyen Namdroel Choeling monastery in Drametse is one of the most important and vibrant
monasteries in Bhutan, which is also of great historical significance. Established over 400 years ago,
the Drametse Monastery with its unique architecture remains one of the most impressive buildings in
eastern Bhutan, it is located in a remote, mountainous and stunningly beautiful eastern Bhutan. It
houses a full range of spiritual treasures and other sacred objects revealed by the Great Treasure
Revealer (Terton) Rigzin Pema Lingpa (1450-1521) who is one of the Five Great Tertons Kings within
the Nyingma tradition of Buddhism. The fully intact secret treasure teachings revealed by Pema Lingpa
have until the present day formed the basis for most of the Buddhist practice in Bhutan and continue to
be transmitted in an unbroken stream, even to this day.
Pema Lingpa’s granddaughter, Ani Choeten Zangmo who fled from Bumthang to escape a proposal of
marriage from the local king, founded the monastery. She fled east and when she found a place ideally
suited for meditation and practice she named it ‘Drametse’ which literally means ‘the peak where there
are no enemies’. Ani Choeten Zangmo’s kudung is preserved to this day in the monastery as a most
important relic. Further, Drametse was blessed by the birth of three successive incarnations of the
Zhabdrung: Jigme Drakpa (1791-1830), Jigme Norbu (1831-1861), and Jigme Chogyel (1862-1904).
Many religious festivals with sacred masked dances are performed every year. Out of the many masked
dances, the Drametse Ngacham is the most popular and well known in the country. It is said that Lama
Kunga Gyaltshen, brother of Ani Choeten Zangmo, in a visionary state reached Zangdok pelri, the pure
land of Guru Rinpoche where he witnessed the performance of this dance. Upon his return to the
human realm, he introduced the tradition of this dance in Drametse and later it spread widely and was
known as the Drametse Ngacham, literarily meaning the Drum Dance of Drametse”This very dance is
now proclaimed as the Masterpiece of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.
Other masked dances include the secret dances known as the Peling Tercham or the Treasure Dances
of Terton Pema Lingpa, which are only performed during these festivals. These dances include Peling
Gingchen and Rujen performed during the burnt offering (Jinseg) as well as Shagpadre, Tseumara and
Serdra Chham. These dances are to be viewed as a pure display of Mandalas representing particular
deties or psychic forces. The function of the dance, both for the dancers and the spectators is one of
liberating from ordinary thoughts and emotions. The essence of these masked dances is therefore to
bring about inner realization. It is generally acknowledged that most of Tantric ritual dances locally
known as Tercham performed in most of the festivals in Bhutan were originated from Drametse. The
sacred dances are perceived as special gift to the lay community as these dances depict the visionary
experiences of profound realization by the sublime beings such as Terton Pema Lingpa. Drametse is
therefore the main seat of Pema Lingpa lineage and also the religious and cultural center in eastern
Bhutan.
There are three eventful religious festivals celebrated annually in Drametse Monastery which occurred
during the off tourist season in the western region whereby there is enough potential for development of
tourism in two Gewogs. Since the monastery is the source of spiritual inspiration to the people of
Drametse and its neighbouring communities, people form many walks of life from Mongar and
Trashigang Dzongkhags gather to witness these religious festivals locally known as under:
2. Kangsol chenmo, the most grand is one of the great events of the year. This is a 4 day annual
festival usually fallen in the Bhutanese month of November and the special features are Grand Fire
Offering Ceremonies in midnight followed by many Terchams which are not available in other festivals
in Bhutan.
3. Trel Da Tshechu commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche for 3 days on the 10 day
of 5th Bhutanese month
4. Daw Drugpai Choepa for 3 days ritual dances mostly the pure visions of spiritual attainment
revealed by Pema Lingpa.
5. Zhongar Dzong:
.Zhongar Dzong in Mongar is fleetingly visible form the Mongar-Bumthang Highway, a few kilometers
from Lingmethang.It is half an hours drive from Mongar town to Shongar Dzong and about half an hour’
s walk from the nearest road point.Motorable road is also being built. The old trade route that connected
the eastern and western Bhutan in olden days passes through some distance from the Dzong. Built on
a low-lying hillock, the location looks like a bowl filled with milk. Thus, the Dzong came to be known as
Zhongkar, (zhong bowl, kar-white).
There are several oral accounts regarding the downfall of he glorious dzong. According to one, after the
completion of the dzong, the king killed Zochhen Bala in the fear that a Dzong of equal or greater
magnificence might be built. In his dying wish, Bala cursed that the Dzong be wiped out, and himself be
reborn in the Dzong as a wrathful spirit. It is believed that Bala’s curse materialized leading to the ruin of
the Dzong. Bala himself is believed to have been born as a huge snake in the Dzong.
Another account attributes the Dzong’s downfall to fire in the late 1880s during the tenure of an eccentric
Dzongpon called Namela from Drametse. At that time, the Dzong is said to be infested by rodents and
fleas that not only harmed animals, but humans too. On seeking suggestions from his attendants to rid
the Dzong of rodents and fleas, they suggested burning the Dzong down. So the eccentric Dzongpon set
the Dzong on fire.
The downfall of the Dzong is also attributed to an earthquake. Due to hot and humid tropical climate of
the area, there were frequent outbreaks of diseases. The Dzongpon himself was said to have been
contemplating abandoning the place when an earthquake struck the Dzong.
The historical Zhongar Dzong has lain in ruins for centuries. The dissonantly silent, vast four acre
compound with crumbling walls has been at once awesome and scary.
The extensive ruins of the walled fort complex comprise one of the most melancholy sights encounters
in eastern Bhutan. The ruins, largely deserted are much as the destroyers left them.
5.Tagchu Gompa.
Tagchu Gompa, a privately owned Lhakhang was built in 1825 by one of the disciples of Togden Shakya
Shri, a renowned Lama from eastern Tibet. This place is known as a place of solitary for the mother of
Shabdung Jigme Dakpa while the shabdung was studying at Wengkhar Monastery. Tanchu Gonpa is 2
hours walk from Themnangbi Lhakhang and 4 hours walk up from Mongar via gangula ancient mule
trek.
As Bhutan is predominantly a Buddhist country, Buddhism penetrated into all aspect of Bhutanes life for
the district administrator and the monk body. The word Dzong literally translated means a fortress. As
Bhutan is predominantly a Buddhist country, Buddhism penetrated into all aspect of Bhutanes life and
culture. Bhutanese people candidly found in the teaching of Buddha a source of deep peace, happiness
and fulfillment. Hence the Dzongs play an important role in the religious life of its people. Within the
structure of a Buddhist teaching, various methods were developed which were suited to different types
of individuals and all the more, its almost infinite dept and richness make it one of the word’s most
profound living tradition. Bhutan is now the only independent country in the world where Vajrayana
Buddhism is the state religion and upheld by both Government and people.
Vajrayana Buddhism is the state religion and upheld by both Government and people.
Mongar Dzong was built in 1930 and its design was similar to Lamai Geonpa in Bumthang, the official
residence of the 1st King Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck. Pristine trekking and pilgrimage opportunities
exist in the Mongar region where an area of ethereal natural beauty, lush and green abounds
everywhere.
1. Mongar Dzong
This Dzong was constructed in the year and is built to host the spiritual monks and as an administrative
Headquarter for the District. The Dzong festival Tsechu is held annually in the month of
November/December corresponding to 8-10th day of 10th month of Bhutanese calendar year. These
dates vary from year to year as the Bhudist calendar year has dual dates and months simillary absence
of dates and months. Astrologers normally finalises these dates before the year begins.
2.Yakgang Lhakhang.
It is located about an 20 minutes walk from the Mongar town ship. This privately owned monastery was
founded by Lama Sangdag, the 6th son of Terton Pema Lingpa, a Bhutanese Buddhist saint who lived
in Bhutan in the fifteenth century. He is well-respected, prominent figure in the history of Vajrayana
tradition that dominates the Himalayan region, but its especially in the kingdom of Bhutan that he is
loved as a folk hero and a spiritual master which is a source of national pride and inspiration. Rigzin
Pema Lingpa was the reincarnation of princess Pema Sel, the only daughter of Tibetan King Thrisrong
Deutsen.
The Yakgang monastery stands as one of the great cultural significance as it is a repository of a full
range of spiritual treasures and other sacred objects known to have revealed by Terton Pema
Lingpa. As Pema Lingpa is the quintessential Bhutanese master and was completely homegrown,
all his work for the benefit of beings happened here in Bhutan and he is really the epitome of Bhutan.
The teachings and religious practices are maintained without decline in values and behavior in strict
accordance with Peling traditions. This is the only monastery which is preserved untouched, modified in
its pure tradition and culture of Buddhism in the east.
1. Corresponding to Trel Da Tshechu commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche for 3
days on the 10 day of 5th Bhutanese month.The Yakgang monastery host Peling lineage.The above
Tshechu for three days. The Tshechu ( Tertoenpa Chham, naked dance similar to the festival at Jambay
Lhakhang, Bumthang normally goes for three days however due to financial problem it is shortened to
one day. Before the Mongar dzong was build the Yakgang Tshechu is the only Tshechu performed
annually to mark the annual festival at Mongar.
3. Drametse Monastery.
Ugyen Namdroel Choeling monastery in Drametse is one of the most important and vibrant
monasteries in Bhutan, which is also of great historical significance. Established over 400 years ago,
the Drametse Monastery with its unique architecture remains one of the most impressive buildings in
eastern Bhutan, it is located in a remote, mountainous and stunningly beautiful eastern Bhutan. It
houses a full range of spiritual treasures and other sacred objects revealed by the Great Treasure
Revealer (Terton) Rigzin Pema Lingpa (1450-1521) who is one of the Five Great Tertons Kings within
the Nyingma tradition of Buddhism. The fully intact secret treasure teachings revealed by Pema Lingpa
have until the present day formed the basis for most of the Buddhist practice in Bhutan and continue to
be transmitted in an unbroken stream, even to this day.
Pema Lingpa’s granddaughter, Ani Choeten Zangmo who fled from Bumthang to escape a proposal of
marriage from the local king, founded the monastery. She fled east and when she found a place ideally
suited for meditation and practice she named it ‘Drametse’ which literally means ‘the peak where there
are no enemies’. Ani Choeten Zangmo’s kudung is preserved to this day in the monastery as a most
important relic. Further, Drametse was blessed by the birth of three successive incarnations of the
Zhabdrung: Jigme Drakpa (1791-1830), Jigme Norbu (1831-1861), and Jigme Chogyel (1862-1904).
Many religious festivals with sacred masked dances are performed every year. Out of the many masked
dances, the Drametse Ngacham is the most popular and well known in the country. It is said that Lama
Kunga Gyaltshen, brother of Ani Choeten Zangmo, in a visionary state reached Zangdok pelri, the pure
land of Guru Rinpoche where he witnessed the performance of this dance. Upon his return to the
human realm, he introduced the tradition of this dance in Drametse and later it spread widely and was
known as the Drametse Ngacham, literarily meaning the Drum Dance of Drametse”This very dance is
now proclaimed as the Masterpiece of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.
Other masked dances include the secret dances known as the Peling Tercham or the Treasure Dances
of Terton Pema Lingpa, which are only performed during these festivals. These dances include Peling
Gingchen and Rujen performed during the burnt offering (Jinseg) as well as Shagpadre, Tseumara and
Serdra Chham. These dances are to be viewed as a pure display of Mandalas representing particular
deties or psychic forces. The function of the dance, both for the dancers and the spectators is one of
liberating from ordinary thoughts and emotions. The essence of these masked dances is therefore to
bring about inner realization. It is generally acknowledged that most of Tantric ritual dances locally
known as Tercham performed in most of the festivals in Bhutan were originated from Drametse. The
sacred dances are perceived as special gift to the lay community as these dances depict the visionary
experiences of profound realization by the sublime beings such as Terton Pema Lingpa. Drametse is
therefore the main seat of Pema Lingpa lineage and also the religious and cultural center in eastern
Bhutan.
There are three eventful religious festivals celebrated annually in Drametse Monastery which occurred
during the off tourist season in the western region whereby there is enough potential for development of
tourism in two Gewogs. Since the monastery is the source of spiritual inspiration to the people of
Drametse and its neighbouring communities, people form many walks of life from Mongar and
Trashigang Dzongkhags gather to witness these religious festivals locally known as under:
2. Kangsol chenmo, the most grand is one of the great events of the year. This is a 4 day annual
festival usually fallen in the Bhutanese month of November and the special features are Grand Fire
Offering Ceremonies in midnight followed by many Terchams which are not available in other festivals
in Bhutan.
3. Trel Da Tshechu commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche for 3 days on the 10 day
of 5th Bhutanese month
4. Daw Drugpai Choepa for 3 days ritual dances mostly the pure visions of spiritual attainment
revealed by Pema Lingpa.
5. Zhongar Dzong:
.Zhongar Dzong in Mongar is fleetingly visible form the Mongar-Bumthang Highway, a few kilometers
from Lingmethang.It is half an hours drive from Mongar town to Shongar Dzong and about half an hour’
s walk from the nearest road point.Motorable road is also being built. The old trade route that connected
the eastern and western Bhutan in olden days passes through some distance from the Dzong. Built on
a low-lying hillock, the location looks like a bowl filled with milk. Thus, the Dzong came to be known as
Zhongkar, (zhong bowl, kar-white).
There are several oral accounts regarding the downfall of he glorious dzong. According to one, after the
completion of the dzong, the king killed Zochhen Bala in the fear that a Dzong of equal or greater
magnificence might be built. In his dying wish, Bala cursed that the Dzong be wiped out, and himself be
reborn in the Dzong as a wrathful spirit. It is believed that Bala’s curse materialized leading to the ruin of
the Dzong. Bala himself is believed to have been born as a huge snake in the Dzong.
Another account attributes the Dzong’s downfall to fire in the late 1880s during the tenure of an eccentric
Dzongpon called Namela from Drametse. At that time, the Dzong is said to be infested by rodents and
fleas that not only harmed animals, but humans too. On seeking suggestions from his attendants to rid
the Dzong of rodents and fleas, they suggested burning the Dzong down. So the eccentric Dzongpon set
the Dzong on fire.
The downfall of the Dzong is also attributed to an earthquake. Due to hot and humid tropical climate of
the area, there were frequent outbreaks of diseases. The Dzongpon himself was said to have been
contemplating abandoning the place when an earthquake struck the Dzong.
The historical Zhongar Dzong has lain in ruins for centuries. The dissonantly silent, vast four acre
compound with crumbling walls has been at once awesome and scary.
The extensive ruins of the walled fort complex comprise one of the most melancholy sights encounters
in eastern Bhutan. The ruins, largely deserted are much as the destroyers left them.
5.Tagchu Gompa.
Tagchu Gompa, a privately owned Lhakhang was built in 1825 by one of the disciples of Togden Shakya
Shri, a renowned Lama from eastern Tibet. This place is known as a place of solitary for the mother of
Shabdung Jigme Dakpa while the shabdung was studying at Wengkhar Monastery. Tanchu Gonpa is 2
hours walk from Themnangbi Lhakhang and 4 hours walk up from Mongar via gangula ancient mule
trek.