Journey to village -July 2013

Prologue

Towards the escalating sun in eastern valleys,

Where, the my residence settlement belongs,

Where my much-loved dad and mom stays,

Where my dearly loved relatives hang about;

I departed eastern valleys for more than year,

I finally planned to visit them once again.

I started journey from Paro -western Bhutan to Phuentsholing -south-western Bhutan. I travelled in Cab along with group of easterners. I reached Phuentsholing calmly passing various hills and valleys. I hold the night there. Next day, I travelled to Gelephu where my only sister stays. I spent more than a week there. I enjoyed great scenes and sceneries of south central Bhutan.

After a week, it was time to travel towards south-eastern Bhutan- Samdrup Jongkhar. Myself, In-law and his friend started journey towards the east. Through the great plains of Assam, following the Asian highway for 5 to 6 hours, we reached Samdrup Jongkhar. It was my immense joy to be in Samdrup Jongkhar after a year gap. I last visited the place in July 2012.

It was 1:30 pm when we reached there, it was very hot there, and we plan to travel ahead. So, we bought necessary things from various shops within very short span of time. We then climbed upwards the uphill of south-eastern Bhutan towards the destination. Our destination here was Tongzhang, Trashi Yangtse. This district is complete east which shares boundary with Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in the East and Chinese colonized Tibet in the North.

Through the hills and valleys, in the thick fogies, we travelled swiftly. The roads are enveloped by thick fogies where we hardly see road ahead. Still then we travelled to reach our destination. By 6pm we reached Wamrong the satellite town under Trashigang District. We had lunch and took rest for very petite interval.

Wamrong is the town located along the road sides below Dungkhag headquarters. Once the town was razed by the fire and gutted to the ground. The travelers take meals there and also hold nights. The passenger buses, trucks, taxis and other vehicles travelling stops there, whether they have some work or not, which help shopkeepers there, earn some income.

We proceeded further then. Same situation was exists along the journey. After travelling for less than two hours we reached Khaling, which is also satellite town under same district. The people there were shutting down the shutters of the shops. I carefully looked around while travelling. I enjoy the scenes there. It is attractive and picturesque place.

The Khaling is famous for National Institute for Disabilities and Jigme Sherabling HSS which is renowned school in Bhutan. About 10 to 12 kilometers away from town, the monastery is located above the road head. It is the Karma Kagyu Shaydra sponsored and looked after by Kyabjee Zuri Rinpoche. The construction work was started somewhere in 2004 or 2005 and completed in 2010. But Shaydra was existed before itself.

We stopped for while and prayed facing the temple. My father spent more than five years constructing the temple. He worked there as Zow/Zowpoen. The temple at night looks as if it’s flying in the sky. However, we had to proceed.

As soon as we crossed some few meters, we encountered the minor road blocks where we overtook. After crossing several minor blocks, we encountered major road block where DANTAK officials and laborers still working to clear up the blocks for the benefit of public. They lit the torch. I was happy with DANTAK and thanked them for working at night.

There were only two light vehicles travelling at the same time. For those two vehicles, they worked until 9pm. Minority is prioritized by them. The stones and mud are rolling from above the road. We finally, pass through that block.

We calmly reached Yonphula and travelled down the hill and passed through Sherabtse College and followed by Rongthung village and so on.

Yonphula is famous for Yonphula Lake and only airport in eastern Bhutan. The place is located on top of the uprising hill where we could see Drametse, Trashigang, Sherabtse College and other parts of Trashigang and also Trashi Yangtse.

Sherabtse College is located below Yongphula. The college is famous in the country and its oldest of all. Below Sherabtse College is Rongthung Nagtshang is located and where our Queen’s paternal ancestors hailed from, as per legend history says. We took some time to gaze at the Naktshang. So, we proceeded.

We reached Pam. The Pam is village that is famous for early potatoes in the country. The Oil and Gas Distribution center is located there. Auto workshops too are located there. We filled up our vehicle and checked whether vehicle is dented or not. It was very calm without movement of vehicles. It was almost 9:30pm.

We travelled ahead to reach our destination. We passed through Chazam. The Chazam is famous in the country as there was Iron Bridge over the river which was built by Thangthong Gyelpo but it does not exist today. This is the junction where travelers can divert to many directions.

After 20 minutes drive we entered the boundary of Trashi yangtse. Jamkhar-drang is boundary point for two districts. We reached Tsher-Gom where Guru Rinpoche visited in 8th Century while subduing the demon that was chased from Tibet and reached at Gom kora.

After little minute drive from Tsher-Gom we entered the territory of Tongzhang. The feeder road heading towards Tongzhang Gewog centre is somewhat good. We climbed up the hills of Lower Tongzhang above Gomkora.

Gomkora is famous in the country due to its unique Tshechu conducted every year. The place was once visited by Guru Rinpoche along with Demon and subdued at the place. There we can find a temple and many holy places around. The Nye is situated below the District Highway.

We travelled eagerly up the hills and valleys passing numerous hamlets such as Dukuling, Bainangkhar, Lakurung, Gambari and Shakpa. Now we reached the junction where we had to travel more than 20 kilometers ahead. From Shakpa chorten, we had to follow the farm road heading towards my village. We entered the farm road leaving Chorten behind.

As soon as we entered the farm road, the vehicle bounced as if like ball. We passed by newly constructing school on the hills of Kunzangling which is scheduled to be completed by end of 2013. The location of school to me is not good as there is no place for football ground. No water supply and many more. The location is really pathetic. We passed the construction site and passed through Kenmong and Changmadung villages. Finally, I could see light glowing at my house which is more than four kilometers away. We travelled through various small hills and valleys, we reached Luungchu.

Luungchu is a river which swiftly flows from Thumbrangla Mountain joining other tributaries. The River is used for irrigation and for many other purposes. The bridge connecting two sides of the river is made up of wooden logs (Oak Tree) and nailed the planks on it. As we travelled at night I could not see how far it is in good condition. So, we passed through the wooden bridge. This bridge was constructed before four years but did not changed wooden logs so far. Why RCC Bridge is constructed until today? More than 7 to 10 vehicles including heavy and light uses the Bridge but no one concern to raise the issue. This is how pathetic upper Tongzhang is from my point of view.

No matter whatever may be, we proceeded. We started crossing numerous hills and valleys. We could now see villages below road calm and peace. Dogs barking when light of the vehicle strikes over the houses. The people were already in deep sleep. But we are still travelling.

However, we almost reached home. We reached the point where we have to follow the foot path for 2 minutes. I dialed to my dad to pick us. Dad and second youngest brother came to pick us. So, we reached home safely only by 11:30 pm.

By this time my dearly loved parents and siblings wait for us. They haven’t slept as they too were eager to meet with me after lengthy gap. I was also eager to meet with them. We carried things on back and proceeded.

My dear mother has prepared delicious meals for us. She prepared Shakam Datshi for In-law and his friend, and for me she prepared a delicious Ema Datshi. Then we slept by 1am.

Epilogue

From the Escalating sun in eastern valleys,

I Dendup journeyed back to the western region.

Through the hills and valleys of eastern Bhutan,

I reached back to Samdrup Jongkhar.

I calmly journeyed towards Gelephu,

With my beloved sister who stays there.

A week time later, I journeyed to Paro via Thimphu.