Long before I visited Bhutan, I was drawn to media images of Dochula Pass - it has an air of mystic waiting to be uncovered. It's one of the places I hoped to visit in Bhutan.
So glad that my wish came true during my second visit to Bhutan (in Nov 2025) 🙏
Dochula Pass is just 22km east from Thimphu (Bhutan's capital city) on the road to Punakha city. Really no excuse to miss it when you are in Thimphu.
Attracted by its beauty, once I got here, I am drawn by its historic and spiritual significance - like a glimpse into Bhutan's soul (there're so many things to discover in this amazing country). And, it's never one way - like a magical mirror, learning about the places we visit earns us fresh, deeper perspectives about ourselves.
Dochula Pass has 108 stupas or chortens arranged in three concentric circles. The outer ring has 45 stupas, the middle ring 36 and the inner ring 27. In the centre is the main, biggest stupa. When we count the biggest stupa, it is actually 108 + 1 = 109 stupas.
Image of Guru Rinpoche also known as Padmasambhava in the niches of the stupas. Guru Rinpoche is considered the second Buddha in Bhutan. Padmasambhava brought Buddhism from Tibet to Bhutan in 810 AD.
Image of Ngawang Namgyal, unifier of Bhutan as a nation-state. Known as The Bearded Lama from Tibet, Ngawang Namgyal unified warring fiefdoms in the 1630s and created the Bhutanese identity distinct from Tibetan culture from which it was derived.
Dochula is Bhutan's highest mountain pass at 3140 metres.
From here, we can see the majesty of the Himalayas from Dochula Pass.
On clear days, Bhutan's highest peak Gangkharpuensem stand out at 7570 metres. It's the world's highest unconquered mountain. (For comparison, Mount Everest is 8849 metres high.)
Towering Cypress trees in the 60th Anniversary Park overlook the stupas of the Dochula Pass. The park was inaugurated in 2015 to celebrate the 60th birthday of king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. This year (2025) the kingdom was celebrating the king's 70th birthday - it's an extra auspicious year to visit the park.
Devotees retreat to the peace and quiet of 11 caves on the slopes of the 60th Anniversay Park to meditate....
... each on our own spiritual journey.
Druk Wangyal Lhakhang monastery is just beside Dochula Pass. It opened in 2008 to celebrate the 100 years of the Wangchuck monarchy in Bhutan founded by the first Wangchuck king, Ugyen Wangchuck in 1907.
Dochula Pass and the 108 chortens were built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Bhutan's eldest Queen Mother in 2008.
Dochula Pass and the 108 stupas honour the Bhutanese soldiers and king Jigme Singye Wangchuck who in 2003 successfully dislodged United Liberation Front of Assam rebels whom had used Bhutanese territory to launch raids into Assam, India.
Every 13 Dec since 2011, masked dancers from Royal Bhutan Army perform the Dochula Druk Wangyal Tshechu (rituals / ceremonies) to honour the leadership of king Jigme Singye Wangchuck as well as the Army's struggles and triumphs in safeguarding the kingdom.
I was at Dochula Pass in Nov, so missed the Tshechu. Shall make sure I am here at the right time, next time.
Dochula Pass
Address: Dochula, Semtokha - Trashigang Highway, Thimphu District, Bhutan
Hours: Always open / no entrance fee
Written by Tony Boey on 8 Dec 2025
Who is Tony Johor Kaki?
No comments:
Post a Comment
All comments submitted with genuine identities are published