Visit to Kabje Hoka Tsho under Punakha Dzongkhag

Few years back, I heard of story regarding Hoka Tsho for several times and also photos of the lakes uploaded on social media but couldn’t visit for long as I was residing in the Eastern part of Bhutan. I haven’t expected to reach there either after all it takes long journey to reach there. Unexpectedly close friend of mine who resides at Punakha has planned the trip to visit the Tsho and she wants me to join the trip as well.

I still remember, its in February 2019, where I waked up early in the morning and prepared myself to visit Hoka tsho along with friends. We took the vehicle till the road end point of Kabesa. Then the journey towards the tsho started from Lhakhang Niningpo . We also invited one man from the locality as a guide to the Hoka tsho. Following the way by the sides of irrigation channel through the thick and thin forest, we enjoyed the journey chatting on various views under the shades of tall trees. Within two hours we could reached to our destination, where we observe beautiful scenery of the vast Tsho surrounded by the thick forest. The place was peace and calm where one could enjoy the scenery and pray for longevity as its very important to visit lakes in one’s life time.

View of Hoka Tsho

Upon reaching there, we gathered some dry twigs, leaves and burnt incense.  Then in turns there were photo session going on and then its almost time for lunch that we all gathered for lunch. Its kind of dry picnic where 19 of us gathered with pot lunch, we shared among ourselves and its good time for interaction too.

Thick vegetation around

In the evening, we started our journey back, all in joy we didn’t took much time like in the morning and reached to the road point in no time and all gathered together. We had some snacks and drinks. Then the driver drove us back to the respective dwelling where we all reached safely and the day was exploring and enjoyable one with big circle of friends.

It will be memorable day in my life accompanying with the friends. The day was worth exploring and sight-seeing. After all it’s good to reach the unreached areas and it is better to make new memories when time permits. 

The good pointed to be noted about the visit is its visiting time, it is the right season to visit the Hoka tsho in spring when climate is favorable without rain and no need to encounter with leaches. It will be very difficult to travel during rainy reason due do incidence of leaches. If travelers  happen to visit the Tsho during Autumn season there is high possibility that it will bring rain to the locality hampering the paddy harvest.

So its advisable to visit the Tsho before the onset of monsoon that could ease the journey for travelers.

Winter Vacation

It’s in the beginning of January, 2019 where journey started early in the morning through thick and thin forest perceiving the cold harsh air of Bumthang valley towards the footfills at Gelephu via Zhemgang route in one of the Bolero. The journey was long and tiring one and it was almost dark when we reached Gelephu so driver dropped us directly to the host family.

My first visit to Gelephu was in 2016 which is of short duration so I couldn’t explore the places. This time though I am visiting Gelephu for the second time, it’s really difficult to track the locations as one could notice expansion in the town area and there were lots of people gathered at Gelephu to receive blessings from H.E. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and one could spot tents pitched in open areas. In winter, usually those people residing at higher altitudes escapes harsh winter by visiting warm places where some people visit Bodhgaya and spent many days there and enjoy the warmth of the south.

During my stay at Gelephu, I have been assisting my mom while we were receiving blessings from Rinpoche which took around a month. Every morning we used to visit Chorten at Pemaithang and spare some time to recite prayers and we do the same in the evening. During lunch break we do visit shops and buy necessity items from the town as it’s located next to Wangkhang.

Chorten at Pemaithang

In addition, we grasp the opportunity to visit historical sites and explore the new places of Sarpang. One of the remarkable moments was visit to Zangdo Pelri Lhakhang located on the way to Dzong accompanied by old friend of mine and offer butter lamps. I was amazed by the unique architecture design of the lhakhang and the interesting story behind Kanjur.

Sarpang Zangdo pelri

One of the days, we planned to visit Serzhong lhakhang with pot lunch. The lhakhang was located on the slope that serves as a view point over many places. We made offerings and recite prayers. Then we started Chorten kora (Eight stupas) by reciting some prayers. There were eight types of stupas relates to the important events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni. For the first time in life I am able to understand the significance of the stupas.

Serzhong Chorten

Besides, we walked and visited Nimalung, Tharpaling and Tali lhakhang located in and around the town and even made effort to visit Phurbai Lhakhang located next to Pemaithang. Furthermore we visited Hindu temple (mandir) located near GMSS and was amazed to hear beautiful story of groups of elephants during the construction of the temple and significance of the statues as well. The temple is well maintained surrounded by bountiful blooming flowers and evergreen plants.

Tali Lhakhang

One fine day, we attempt to visit quite far temple. Through guidance from the people settled nearby we could reach to our destination at Pedma Lhundrup Chhoekhorling where its view point to watch the beautiful sunset of the south and the monastery is well known for Astrological studies.

View Point

In addition, we visited Sapang Padtselling Thubten Shedrupling Dratshang where we got opportunity to see and touch holy relics (Nangten) and we were blessed.

Holy relics

Gelephu Tshachu, hot spring site was the most popular in Gelephu where many people within the country do visit the Tshachu during winter when they are kind of free from their farm works and it’s the right time to visit in winter when climate is cool.

Those winter days at Gelephu were exploring and enjoyable at the same time and the weather is cool as well and I will definitely miss my long vacation here.