Brief History of Choedrak Monastery

Choedrak is one of the four great cliff/rock of Bumthang valley blessed by Guru Rinpoche. It is located above Tharpaling monastery under Bumthang District. It was first blessed by Guru Rinpoche and latter in 1234, Gyalwa Loreypa - one of the disciple of Tsangpa Jarey built temple and resided in that cave. However the temple was ruined after his departure to Tibet and in 18^th century Ngawang Thinley – one of the eminent monk from Sewla of Punakha has repaired fully.

The sacred site is considering as hidden retreat site of Guru Rinpoche and it contains Gyalwa Loreypa’s meditation cave, Tenpa Rinchen’s relic stupa, 108 Chukchizhel Temple, Dorji Yudonma’s Cave, Guru’s Throne & Holly water, Temple of Kaju master and many more.

Location: above Tharpaling, Chumey, Bhumthang.

Brief History of pilgrimage site Kunzangdra (cliff in shape of Kuntuzangpo)

Kunzangdra Monastery is located under Tang Gewog under Bumthang District and first founded by Terton Pema Lingpa in 1488 as one of his main residence. The name Kunzangdra derived from the cliff which looks like Kuntuzangpo (Buddha Samantabhadra), in short Kunzang refers to Kuntuzangpo and dra refers to cliff.

The pilgrimage site consist of living quarter of Terton Pemalingpa, Wangkhang, Oezerphug – the meditation cave of Pemalingpa’s son Dawa Gyeltshen, Khandro Lhakhang, Footprint of Pema Lingpa, Drangsong Latso, Stupa build by Thugsey Dawa Gyeltshen, chakhar (walking stick) of Thugsey Dawa Gyeltshen, holy water of Pema Lingpa, Holy water of Tsepamed, mani Rangjon and many more.

The cliff is not only Residence of Terton Pema Lingpa but also blessed by Guru Rinpoche and meditated at this cliff. Hence, Kunzangdra is considered as one of the four dra (cliff) of Bumthang valley blessed by Guru Rinpoche.

Brief History of Chungchen Khading Drag famously Known as Shugdra/Zhugdra.

Shugdra/Chung Drag is one of the great four cliffs (Drag) of Bumthang Valley. It was first blessed by Ugyen Guru Rinpoche as meditation cliff during his visit to Bumthang and concealed lots of treasures. Latter Tertonpa’s including Terton Pema Lingpa has discovered lots of treasures from the cliff. The cliff is located at upper Chhokhor toe under Bumthang Dzongkhag with 45 minutes’ drive from Chamkhar Town. The name Shugdra derived from Shugposhing (Juniper tree) - the walking stick of Guru Rinpoche and left at that Cliff for the benefit of Sentient beings. Hence it is called as Shug- Juniper Tree and Drag-Cliff. However some believes that it is Chung drag- the cliff looks like flying Chhung (Garuda) and some also says Zhugdra as Guru Remains there. Furthermore, there is three cliff including Drag kar Namkhai Drag, Due Dul Singye Drag, and Chungchen Khading Drag. The famously known Shugdra/Zhugdra is Chungchen Khading Dra meaning the cliff looks like flying Large Garuda.  (Chungchen- Large/Huge Garuda, Khading- flying, Drag-Cliff). Hence, it was called as Chung drag in short by local people.

In brief the sacred site contains meditation cave, hand print, holy water, foot print and body print of Guru Rinpoche and similarly foot print and holly water of Khando. If it goes in deep, the pilgrimage site takes whole day to two days.