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Gomphu Kora (Gom Kora) Festival
(Enter Paro Exit Paro - 12 Nights 13 Days)
- Trashiyangtse, Eastern Bhutan
Dzongkhags covered: Samdrup
Jongkhar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Gomkora, Mongar, Bumthang, Trongsa,
Wangduephodrang, Punakha, Thimphu & Paro.
Bird's Eye View of Gom Kora Lhakhang (Temple) complex
Duration: 12 Nights 13
Days.
Package Trip Cost: US$ 2800 per person.
Trip Grade: Easy.
Festival Dates: April
7-9, 2014.
Itinerary Outline:
Day 01: Arrive Paro
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing
Day 03: Thimphu sightseeing
Day 04: Thimphu - Punakha
Day 05: Punakha - Bumthang
Day 06: Bumthang Sightseeing
Day 07: Bumthang- Mongar
Day 08: Mongar - Gom Kora (Trashiyangtse)
Day 09: Gom Kora Festival
Day 10: Trashiyangtse - Trashigang
Day 11: Trashigang – Radhi/Phongmey (Day Excursion)
Day 12: Trashigang Sightseeing - Mongar
Day 13: Mongar – Bumthang
Day 14: Bumthang – Thimphu (9 hours drive)
Day 15: Thimphu – Paro International Airport for Departure
The Legend of Gom
Kora- The Visit of Guru Rinpoche to Gomphu Kora:-
Gomphu Kora is a site where Guru
Rinpoche subdued the demon and legend has its story that Guru Rinpoche
meditated in the Gomphu Kora Rock for Three months. Some say Guru meditated
three days at Gomphu Kora and Three Months at Kapalihu. No books or sources
are available and so cannot be ascertained for sure. It is possible that
the documents of Gom Kora may be available with some of the people of
Tawang. The document/manuscript of Gom Kora got burnt when the residence
of the caretaker caught fire.
The Demon, Mongkhapa, locally known
as Sewang Nagpo escaped from Tibet Samye (where the first Buddhist monastery
in Tibet was built) during Guru's visit to Tibet following through Tawang
and through Doksum and on reaching Gom Kora, he stopped fleeing further
and took a hiding place near the river in the Black Big Stone. (It is
also said that the Demon was called Gyenen Chophel alias Yonglha who was
a classmate of Guru Rinpoche at Nalanda University who attained high level
spiritual powers which took the Guru a long time to subdue.Yonglha was
misled and he followed the wrong path and thus went against the Buddha
Dharma.)
It
is said that when the Guru was meditating near the stone the Demon attempted
various tricks to escape from there and showed all demonic manifestations
which even pierced the rock from the inside and made his way underground
and even scared away Guru Rinpoche. Thus we can still see the Print
of the Guru's Hand (left) in the entrance to the Rock. The demon's
manifestation and power included piercing of the Rock and transformation
of himself into a ferocious snake raised like a Cobra. Guru Rinpoche transformed
himself to a Garuda (a large mythical Bird/Eagle-like creature) and tamed
the Demon. The imprint of the snake can be seen on the exterior of the
rock. From there the Demon escaped peircing through the rock and in the
early days the demon made his way underground from the rock to the nearby
river. It is said that later the underground tunnel was blocked for whichever
people who went into the tunnel. Guru Rinpoche blessed the tunnel and
transformed it into a sacred tunnel and whichever people enters this tunnel
his or her sins are cleansed. The tunnel especially the exit is very narrow.
According to the Legend it is said that the Demon escaped from the Gom
Kora cave and then it was subdued forever in the stone cave and elevated
as the protector of Gom Kora after reaching Tsergom, 3 kms from the Cave.
We can still see the seal of oath at the Tsergom cave as a red seal of
the Guru. Sometimes it is said that devotees who visit the Tsergom cave
with faith and devotion can see the image of the Guru in the Thumbprint
on the stone.
Yet
some people believe that the Gom Kora Demon and the Tsergom Demon are
different. And due to the absence of written text/manuscripts it is not
sure whether they were the same or different. The entrance to
the Stone Tunnel (seen right) can be found to
the North Part of the Rock. And the exit from a different hole.
While Guru Rinpoche was residing at
Gom Kora the Tibetan King, Thrisong Deutsen became seriously ill and bedridden.
The message was sent to Guru who then sent his Disciple Atsara Salaioo
to Meratika in Nepal to get the Tshebum. When his disciple returned from
Nepal to Gom Kora with the Tshebum, the King passed away. The Tshebum
brought from Meritaka was then concealed inside the rock as gTer and the
Guru meditated for three days. During Auspicious days we can still see
the drupchu/holy water coming out of the rock as holy water coming out
from hidden gTer, Tshebum.Some artifacts like statue of Buddha, Dragons
Egg, Dhamze Rilbu, Guru's footprint, Trangtring(small hand drum) of Guru,
Guru's Pony and Footprint of Gurus Khandro can be seen at Gom Kora Lhakhang.
The Gom Kora Festival:
A Famous festival of the east, Gomkora
or Gomphukora is celebrated on the Tenth day of the Bhutanese Second Month.
The festival which draws people from all over Bhutan began 400 years ago
after the Lhakhang was built by Lam Ngagi Wangchuk. The practise of wooing
and marriage still previals during this three-day Festival. Right after
the Chorten Kora festival, people go down for the Gom Kora festival including
people from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Businessmen and all types
of people from all over has made Gomphukora Tshechu one of the most famous
Festivals in Eastern Bhutan. As most people gather for the festival the
business ventures during this festival runs good. Grocery, clothes sales,
restaurants, gambling stalls, health exibitions,etc can be seen during
these festival. Of the many places visited by Guru Rinpoche, Gom Kora
is one of the most blessed sacred sites. Other places where the Guru visited
are unknown to us or lost to us. Pilgrims and devotees who visit and pay
homage where Guru Rinpoche has resided is a key and seed to liberation.
Visiting sacred sites of Guru with faith and devotion would bless the
devotee and fulfil his or her wishes and will be able to attain liberation
from samsara (cycle of rebirth).
Detailed
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive Paro
On our way back to the hotel, we will
visit Drugyal Dzong, which is in ruins and the Kyichu Lhakhang, which
is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Dinner and overnight stay in Paro
Hotel.
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing
Drive to Paro and hike to Taktsang Monastery,
which is one of the most important pilgrimage and sacred sites in the
Buddhism world. The hike will take about 2 hours up a steep hill and about
1hour 30 minutes on our way back. Lunch will be served at the Taktsang
Cafteria.
Day 03: Thimphu sightseeing
Today we will do sightseeing in Thimphu
- visit Memorial Chhorten, Changangkha Lhakhang, Mothithang mini zoo to
see the National Animal of Bhutan (Takin), Zilukha Nunnery, Folk Heritage
Museum and National Library. Lunch in Thimphu town. Also visit Paper Factory,
Weaving Centre and then Handicrafts Emporium. Evening at Leisure. Dinner
and overnight stay at Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 04: Thimphu - Punakha
Drive till the view point of Khamsum
Yule Namgyel Chorten (see left) at Kabesa Village and then visit Punakha
Dzong, the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. At Lobesa, we will hike to
Chhimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility. The hike will take about 30
minutes through farm terraced fields. Lunch will be served at the Chhimi
Lhakhang cafeteria. Then we will continue our journey to Thimphu, the
capital city of Bhutan. Stroll around Thimphu town. If interested we will
see night life in the capital of Bhutan after dinner. Dinner and overnight
stay at Thimphu hotel.
Day 05: Punakha - Bumthang
We will drive to Punakha. The drive
will take about 7 hours.at Trongsa, we will visit 'Tower of Trongsa',
and then continue our journey to Punakha. Lunch will be served at Chendebji
Resturant. After lunch we will walk from the restaurant till Chendebji
Chhorten. On reaching Wangduephodrang, we will visit the remains of Wangdue
Dzong which was burnt down in 2012. Renovation, however, is underway.
Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha/Wangdue Hotel.
Day 06: Bumthang Sightseeing
Today we will do sightseeing in Bumthang
valley- visit Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and
Jakar Dzong. Lunch will be served at Bumthang Hotel. Then we will visit
Cheese factory and Honey production centre. Towards evening we will visit
Bhutanese Farm House for dinner, Hot Stone bath and we can also arrange
overnight stay in a Farmhouse. You will have a great experience with the
local Bhutanese.
Day 07: Bumthang- Mongar
We will drive to Bumthang (Central Bhutan)
with picnic lunch. At Ura, we will visit Ura Lhakhang and at Tang, we
will visit Mebartsho (burning lake). Dinner and overnight stay at Bumthang
hotel.
Day 08: Mongar - Gom Kora (Trashiyangtse)
After our breakfast, we will drive to
Mongar. The drive will take about 3 hours. On the way we will visit Drametse
Lhakhang and Tashichhoepheling Lhakhang at Ngatshang. Here we will see
the monks living areas etc. Lunch will be served as a picnic lunch. On
reaching Mongar, we will visit Mongar Dzong and evening stroll around
Mongar town. Dinner and overnight stay at Mongar hotel.
Day 09: Gom Kora Festival
Enjoy whole day at the festival. At
right, crowds at the festival.
Dinner and overnight stay at Gomkora (Hotel/Camp)
Day 10: Trashiyangtse - Trashigang
Today we will visit Trashiyangtse district,
visit Chorten Kora, the old Trashiyangtse Dzong with picnic lunch. Today
overnight will be at Gom Kora either camping or at hotel. After our early
dinner we will visit Gom Kora Lhakhang, where we will see people circumbulating
the Lhakhang and the big rock with recitation or prayers and some even
singing. You will enjoy the scene very much besides getting blessing for
visiting these very important religious sites in the Buddhism world.
A Child seems to plead to the Gods at the festival...
Day 11: Trashigang – Radhi/Phongmey
(Day Excursion)
Today we will make a day excursion to
Radhi/Phongmey Village with picnic lunch. We will be visiting the Rangjung
Yozerchholing Lhakhang and Khardung Anim Dratshang (nunnery where young
girls and women are perusing religious goals). In both the lhakhangs,
photographs are allowed. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay
at Trashigang Hotel.
Day 12: Trashigang Sightseeing
- Mongar
After breakfast on the first day visit
the Trashigang Dzong. The Dzong stands at the extreme end of the spur
spur, overhanging the Drangmechu and Gamrichu (rivers) by more than 400
metres. It serves as the administrative seat for the district and houses
the Drukpa monastic community. The dzong was built in 1659 by the Trongsa
Penlop Chogyel Minjur Tenpa after the Eastern Bhutan came under the administrative
jurisdiction of the Drukpas. The site had probably been occupied since
the 12th century when Serdung, one of the Kings of Eastern Bhutan settled
there and built a fort which he named Bengkhar. After lunch drive to Mongar.
Overnight in Hotel in Mongar.
Day 13: Mongar – Bumthang
After breakfast drive to Bumthang. Lunch
will be served on the way. In Bumthang stroll round in the market and
visit Wangdicholing Palace (left- interior of the abandoned palace) if
there is time. This palace was used by the first two Kings of Bhutan.
Day 14: Bumthang – Thimphu
(9 hours drive)
After an early breakfast drive to Thimphu.
In the evening visit to the Handicraft shops. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 15: Thimphu – Paro
International Airport for Departure
Early in the morning drive to Paro Airport
with our representatives and so long, good bye, hope to see you again.
Note: The above itinerary
is just a sample itinerary intended to give you a general idea of Gom
Kora Festival entering and exiting from Paro, Western Bhutan. This is
a little more convenient than entering or exiting to India by road. But
any itinerary can be arranged as per your wishes. We can always customise
and tailor an itinerary to suit your requirements and interests. You can
contact us through the Contact
Page or through the email given below.
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