Singyethang, the plain where the lion resides

Bhutan is a mysterious country filled with mystery and stories that are beyond our imagination, yet we
IMG_0575.JPGMount 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 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 to 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 the risk of visiting the place without someone who knows the place well. There are stories of pilgrims who lost their way back.
IMG_4012.JPGThe 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 beliefs that once the whole rock lion head and the neck were above the ground, but with time, the lion seems to have been 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 the neck, was 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
WeChat Image_20211009205619.jpgThe 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 the nearby village experience the presence 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.
IMG_2691.JPGThe Local deity's residenceThe northern end of the pastureland is a cliff where one can enjoy the fresh air and contemplate on life. From there, pilgrims can have a sumptuous view of mount Jhomolhari looking like the icing on a cake. The villages of Jongthang, Karshong, and 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 pond 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 by hail
WeChat Image_20211009205713.jpgMuktshen'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, so not many people know or visit it, but once you make it there, it is worth the sweat.

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