Season: June - July

Location: Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor valley, Bumthang

Located in picturesquely Bumthang valley, Kurjey Lhakhang is one of the most sacred shrines of the country named after the body (kur) print (jey) of Guru Rinpoche which is preserved in a cave inside the oldest of three buildings that from the temple complex.

Amongst the three temples, one was built in 1652 on the rock face where Guru
Padmasambhava meditated in 8th century. The second was built on the site of a cave containing an imprint of Guru’s body and is therefore considered the most holy. The third temple was built in 1990s by Ashi Kesang, the Queen Grandmother. The three temples are enclosed by 108 Chortens.

The popular Kurjey Tshechu is celebrated here in the month of June which is well attended by people of Bumthang valley and also from other part of the country to pay obeisance to Guru Rinpoche and receive blessing. It is one day festival and include religiously significant dances such as Guru Tshengye and Shinjay cham performed by the monks of Kurjey Lhakhang. A large thangkha, called Guru Tshengye Thongdroel, depicting the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche is unfurled in the early morning of the festival.