Bumthang – a heartland of Buddhist temples and sacred sites
Bumthang is known above all for its many temples and Buddhist sacred sites, which make it one of the spiritual heartlands of Bhutan. The district is made up of four glacial valleys – Choekor, Tang, Ura and Chhume – each forming its own village block; the Chhume valley is also called Bumthang and gave the district its name. Bumthang means “beautiful field”: thang stands for a field or flat place, while bum is said to refer either to a vessel for holy water, describing the valley's shape, or to “girl”. Today the district's valleys, villages and sanctuaries draw pilgrims and visitors alike. Do you know stories, legends or festivals from Bumthang? Share them here with the community!