Singyethang, the plain where the lion resides

Bhutan is a mysterious country filled with mystery and stories that are beyond our imagination, yet we

Mount Jhomolhari seen from Singyethang

believe and have faith in them. One such mysterious place is Singyethang. Singye in dzongkha means lion and thang can be translated as plain. Thus, Singyethang can be literarily translated as the plain where the lion resides or simply as the lion plain.

Singyethang is located at about 3300 meters above the sea level. Taking the faint trails among the woods, one has to walk about an hour from Taphag (Taphay) Goenpa in Trongsa. During the dry season, one can drive till Taphag goenpa from where you need to be guided by a seasoned local or a monk. The trail is so faint that one should not take risk of visiting the place without someone who knows the place well. There are stories when pilgrims lost their way back.

The beautiful villages

Walking through the woods for about one hour, one is suddenly out into a great pastureland. In the middle of the pastureland, one can see a rock resembling a lion’s head. Oral history has it that the lion flew from Tibet and landed there. There are believes that once the whole rock-lion head and the neck were above the ground but with time, the lions seems to be consumed by the mother earth. Today one can just see the head of the lion. Elders say that the whole head of the lion along with neck were visible during those days. They also trust the mythical story of the world coming to an end when the whole lion is submerged in the earth.

Next to the lion head, there is a rock which resembles the head of a wild boar. Although there is no

The lion's head (L) and The boar's head (R)

written or oral background history of the rock, it is said that the direction of the boar’s head can determine the location of the boars in the forest surrounding the place.

When people in nearby village experience existence of wild boar destroying their crops, they visit the place only to find the rock boar-head turned towards their village. They then turn the head towards east since there is no village towards that direction. Locals blame the sudden emergence of boars in their village to the pilgrims who unknowingly turn the head towards their village.

The Local deity's residence
The northern end of the pastureland is a cliff where one can enjoy the fresh air and contemplate on life. From there, pilgrims can have the sumptuous view of mount Jhomolhari looking like the icing on a cake. The villages of Jongthang, Karshong, Bemji of Nubi gewog can be seen like grains scattered among the mountains.


On the eastern edge of the plain, there is a huge fir tree. There is a pound near the tree which is believed to be the Latsho (The soul lake) The place deserves sanctity and no one dares to make the slightest noise near it. There are stories where the pilgrims were chased with hail

Muktshen's (local Deity of Trongsa) residence
as seen from Singyethang.

stones and unnatural clouds when the lake was disturbed.

The place is sacred and isolated that not many people know or visit it but once you make it there, it is worth the sweat.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Taag Lhakhang

Image
 There is a small one-storied lhakhang about 200 meters from the Thangbi Lhakhang. The author could not authenticate the name of the lhakhang but the locals call it as Taag Lhakhang. It is not known whether Taag refers to the horse or the tiger (In Dzognkha). The lhakhang was built by Lam Ngopa, a great Tibetan master in 14th century. When Lam Ngogpa reached the top of the hill above the village, he threw a dumpling-shaped rock to check his prophecy. Descending down to the valley, Lam Ngogpa found the rock at the present location. Taking it as a good omen, Lam Ngogpa built the small temple.  Lam Ngogpa is said to have established a lhakhang in Dhur, about 9kms from Kujey and Lamlung, another Lhakhang in Tang. Both the temples are in Bumthang. Lam Ngogpa was one of the closest disciple of Lam Marpa. Lam Ngogpa is also reflected in Milarepa's namthar as the latter's friend who studied under the same master.  Lam Ngogpa's Kudung chorten The lhakhang houses the Buddhas of Three
Read more

Luck and the Kharam Shing

Image
 Luck is what we think we deserve to have every time but it is otherwise. People seek interference of seen and unseen forces in hope to have the tinniest fraction of luck. Luck, in laymen term can be defined as absence of bad things happening. according to Chophel (2018),  Kharam means ‘together,’ reflective of the event’s communal nature. It is believed to have evolved from a Bön ritual, and includes a particular wooden structure marked by a phallus. The lucky phallus (Image:Google) In Bhutan, there is a special way to drive away evil and bring luck; having a kharam shing around. It is a phallus craved from wood. The size and the wrathfulness can vary from place to place. Sometimes it is painted on the walls of the homes. The idea may be taboo for the west but it serves a purpose here. According to Kinga. (2005, p.157), kharam shing offsets evil influences and empowers people. It is a common sight to see traditional houses decorated with the kharam . The culture is more evident in
Read more

Nyantse Lhakhang

Image
The Lhakhang was established by  or  Nyangrel Nyima Wozer  (1124/1136 - 1192/1204) in the 12th century. It is said that the lama shot an arrow from Tibet (During those days, most of the Buddhist masters were from Tibet as Buddhism was yet to set its root in Bhutan) to seek his destiny to establish a Lhakhang. Following the direction of his arrow, the lama reached the place. The lama pulled out his arrow only to see holy water gushing out. Thus the place came to be known as CHUMED. "Chu" meaning water and "MED" meaning lower land. The Lhakhang is located at the end of Chumey gewog and the settlements. Today the gewog is better spelled as Chumey. This holy water is located about 40 meters from the lhakhang. According to the locals, the water can cure various illness. There are stories how the holy water has cured warts of many people. The holy water is preserved with a wooden box and the water looks fresh and clean. According to Karma Tenzin, a local from Nangar who n
Read more