Khotokha is a small yet beautiful valley in Wangduephodrang. The plains are too breathtaking to miss and the sacred sites of Khotokha drives people from all over Bhutan to visit this magical valley.
Must visit sights include Rinchenling is one of the 8 “lings ” of Kuenkhen Longchen and it is a full fledged Buddhist college with 300 plus monks. Dolung Goenzin Dratshang, associated with the famous Dolung Raksha (A mask dance) and founded by Khenchen Soena Yoezer. The name comes from a handled kettlelike stone artifact (*Do=Stone and Lung=handle). This beautifully sacred site is a spectacular place to be-You never get enough of it! Balue Goemba is yet another holy site in the midst of sacred Khotokha. It is the seat of Sey Gartoen, son of Phajo Drugom, and a key figure in spreading Drukpa Kajued in Wangdiphodrang.
The Lhakhang is associated with the “Statues from Tibet”. Legend has it that long time before, in the 1200s or so, the *ruebs of **Wachey Zhelngo were sent to Tibet. Upon receiving the ruebs, they’ve send down a golden statue in return. The end of receiving the golden statues came to an end when an unholy rueb was sent on one occasion. The certain Tibetans believed that the Wachey Zhelgno has become extinct then.
Dechen Draphu is one of the most sacred sites of Khotokha but rarely visited too, owing to the distance and difficult road. It’s Guru Rimpochhe’s Nye (sacred site) that has many miraculous stories associated with it. History narrates of Guru having meditated in the miraculously formed cave.
Apart from the numerous religious sites, Khotokha is known for the vast kateythang plains. The plain is grazing ground for the cattle of Bjena and Ruebi gewog. It was once proposed for an international airport but the project was shelved. A walk down the plain offers vast opportunities to connect with the green and all things beautiful.
