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Khamsum Yulley Chorten

Khamsum Yulley Chorten

The Khamsum Yulley Chorten is built on a hilltop overlooking the Mo Chhu river. It is around  7.5 kilometers northwest of the Punakha Dzong. We were amazed by the craftsmanship of Bhutanese artists. From the rooftop of the Chorten, you can view 360-degree  of the Punakha valley’s rice fields and the shimmering river. Chorten’s magnificent views offer and the Chorten is crafted beautifully in traditional Bhutanese style.

It takes a nearly 45 minutes uphill hike along the rice field and beautiful pine forest.  This temple is dedicated to the well-being of Bhutan, protecting the kingdom from evil eyes, and for peace and harmony in the world.

With the intricate design and sculptures, the temple was built by Bhutanese craftsmen.

History

It is a modern monument of Bhutan. Chorten’s history date back to 1992. The Chorten started the construction from 1992-99 at the royal command of Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, the wife of Fouth King King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and Mother of 5th King of Bhutan. The Chorten was built with the novel intention of bringing peace to the world and removing obstacles to the growth of the Drukpa Kagyu sect in Bhutan. It took 9 years in completing the Chorten.

Khamsum Yulley Chorten in Punakha was constructed by Lam Kunzang Wangdi (1992-1999), popularly known as Lam Nyingku as per the noble wish of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

Khamsum-Yulley-Chorten

Chorten Hike

The hike is easy for everyone. You will not need a hiking stick, but during the rainy season, it is better to have one. Try to contact your guide or travel agency if you want to have a walking stick. It is better to carry your own stick while you are traveling to Bhutan.

After 25 minutes car drives towards the north of Punakha towards Gasa road. You will start the hike from the point of famous white river rafting in the Mochu river. Once you reach the base of the Chorten, you will need to cross a suspension bridge with fluttering Buddhist prayer flags. After crossing the Mochu river you find a rice field and beautiful Punakha valleys surrounded by the misty mountains with thick pine forest.

The valley is home to rice and potato fields and depending upon the month you can see different organic vegetables and grains. You will find locals harvesting their fields with happiness. At end of September and October, the valley with all the golden colors of rice ready for harvest will be beautiful. During November and December with brown shimmering with the sunlight. If you are planning to hike during rainy reasons, you will find green valleys covered with moody clouds. After walking through the rice fields and pine forest you will finally reach the entrance gate of the Khamsum Yulley Chorten.

Architecture Of Chorten

The entrance is as beautiful as the Chorten itself with colorful flowers making the Chorten beautiful. You will find a well-maintained flower garden, Bodhi Tree, colorful prayer wheels, and a beautiful four-story Chorten. The entire space is awesome and it is very peaceful.

Inside Khamsum Yulley Chorten, there are huge statues of Vajrakilaya. It is the protective deity of Bhutan. The deities are protective and seem to be looking everywhere, protecting Bhutan from evil eyes in all directions.

Through the narrow steps inside you can reach the Chorten rooftop. From there you can view 360-degree breathtaking of the entire Punakha Valley. The river flows across the mountains. The hour-long hike seems worth it with the panoramic view of the paddy fields and emerald rivers of the Punakha valley.

Timings

It is open from 6:00 AM till 6:00 PM. There are no entry fees for Khamsum Yulley Chorten Hike. You may donate as per your wish in the Chorten donation box but it is not mandatory.

Best time to visit

March to May and September till November are the best months to visit Bhutan overall and will be the best months for Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten Hike. Before the harvest of rice, you will enjoy the awesome picturesque Punakha Valley.

 Khamsum-Yulley-Monastery

Late December till early February will be cold in most parts of Bhutan but Punakha being in lower altitude the temperature here will not be as cold.

Other Attractions

After the Khamsum Yulley  Chorten, you can visit the best places in Punakha

Punakha Dzong

Around 7.5k from the point of the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It is near Punakha main town. While hiking to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten you can see Punakha Dzong, Bhutan’s gigantic fortress. The Dzong is between Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers of Bhutan and can only be accessed through a traditional wooden bridge.

Punakha Suspension Bridge

Punakha suspension bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. It is 520-foot long. The bridge connects Punakha dzong to the other side of the Pho River.

Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha

Chimi Lhakhang or the Fertility Temple of Bhutan. It is the most popular Lhakhang in Bhutan. Where Bhutanese women come to seek blessings from Phallus of Lam Drukpa Kinley ” The Devine Mad Man” to conceive children. Chimi Lhakhang is around 20 km from the Chorten point roadside.

Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery

The Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery is located after Punakha town “Kuruthang”. It is on top of a hill overlooking the Punakha and Wangdue valleys. The nunnery has many nuns learning Buddhism and other vocational training like embroidery, tailoring, and sculpting. The nunnery is 18 km from the starting point for the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike point.

Tips for visiting Khamsum Yulley Chorten

  • Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking uphill for an hour and downhill for 20 minutes. In the rainy season recommend carrying a walking stick and waterproof shoes. It will be muddy, so be prepared.
  • You will need to remove your shoes before entering the main temple. Also, photography is not allowed inside the temple. From the rooftop, you can take pictures.
  • Wear comfortable clothes. Also, you need to be covered up at least till your knees with respect to the deity in the temple as per the local culture.
  • Do not talk loudly inside the main temple as it is regarded as inappropriate in the Bhutanese culture.
  • There are no places to eat after or before the hike, so plan accordingly.