Kila Goenpa Nunnery is located on the way to Haa from Paro en route to Chele La Pass. It is nearly 27 Km from Bondey Paro. The Sanskrit word “Kila” is subjugating spiritual dagger that destroys the negativities. It is also called Chele la Goenpa. Before reaching Chele la pass there is a diversion road that leads to Nunnery. From the diversion route, you hike or take the car. The total length is arou2.5 km5Km to reach the nunnery.
You will be surprised to see nun’s life is so simple. They live in serenity and in harmony with Mother Nature. It is located on a mountaintop top to prevent from hustle and bustle of the towns. It is at an elevation of 3,500m. You can find out seven small temples and several retreat huts.
You can reach the nunnery by hiking also which an hour through pine forest and steep slopes. There is also another trail descending from Chelela pass down the slopes to Kila that takes between 1-2hrs.
During the 16th century Chhogyel Norbu and Tenpa built Zarchen Samten Chholling and Kila Dechen Yangtse came to Bhutan from Tibet. They started the construction. They invited their uncle Pow Dorji from Tibet who resided in Kila Goenpa, initially known as Kila Dechen Yangtse. The cave in which he meditated is seen even today.
Pow Dorji with his two nephews spread the doctrine of Buddhism in Bhutan. In the 19th century, Je – Jampel Sherub Gyeltshen built a Lhakhang known as Gorikuenang Yoelzergang, which helped Paro Valley to learn more about Buddhism. The mind reincarnation of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Ngawang Jigme Norbu stayed in Gorikuenang Yoelzergang Goenpa as the chief of the monastery. Latter on Zhabdrung Jigme Norbu renovated the monastery, which still stands as one of the sights in Paro for tourists.
From here the view is spectacular of Paro Valley below, Jele Dozing, Mt Chomolhari, and Jichu Drake on a clear day. Numerous colorful prayer flags can be spotted on the way to Chele La Pass.
Just a few years back the monastery served as the school for Buddhist study. Now it is moved to Paro town owing to the cold winter and rainy during monsoon season. Now the Goenpa is meant for Buddhist practitioner, who wants to go on retreat. Now you can see more retreat houses and it is meant for meditation. There are about 20-25 nuns who take care of the monastery and attend to those who come for practitioner or meditation.
The monastery has 2 major altar rooms. One room is dedicated to their prime deity i.e. Avalokitesvara. It also consists of many statues of great lamas hailing from the Drukpa Kagyu sect. Kila Dorji Draktsen and Tashi Tsheringma are the local protective deity.
Much of their days are spent chanting and reading Namthars(Religious texts). The nuns often make visits to Paro town to restock food and other essential supplies.
The highest motorable pass in Bhutan lies just above the Nunnerey. Chelela Pass is at an elevation of 3998 meters above sea level. Local people come there to hoist prayer flags and good sight for picnickers. You can see the Himalayan Mountains Jichu Drake and Mount Jomulhari from Chelela Pass. The pass divides Paro Valley and Haa Valley.
It is one of the most beautiful passes in Bhutan. Chelela Pass is decorated with colorful prayer flags. If the weather cooperates you can also get a beautiful view of Paro Valley. And if you wish you all can also hang some prayer flags or offer incense before heading for a hike. But here in Bhutan we do not hang prayer flags on any day; we check the astrology before hanging the prayer flags.
Blue MagpiesThe hike to Kila Goenpa from Chelela is easy. You can see the forest of rhododendron and wildflowers throughout the trek during the season. This is a good place for flower lovers to see blue poppies and various species of birds. The most common ones would be blood pheasants, monal pheasants, laughing thrushes, and white-throated redstarts. It takes nearly half an hour to reach the glimpse of the Kila nunnery, hanging on the edge of the mountain cliff.
Many bird lovers come for getting early morning to see many birds nearby Kila Gompa Nunnery. You can see three different Pheasants: the colorful Himalayan Monal, flocks of Blood Pheasants, and Kalij Pheasant. You can also spot many birds.