Kitiphu, an eye to Bumthang

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Kitiphu, at a distance

If I were a vulture, I couldn’t possibly have known how high this beautiful mountain touched the sky. Kitiphu is one of the most wonderful ridges I have ever been to. Having Tharpaling monastery, once the seat of Kuenkhen longchen Rabjam, at its feet, this holy mountain stands up to about 7,500 meters above the sea level. I’ve been living in Bumthang ever since I was born but I could make it to Kitiphu only a few weeks ago. Thank god that a reason and a strong determination came up to string some lungdar(prayer flags) on that mountain.
The main reason why people go to Kitiphu is to put up prayer flags considering the fact that we gain luck if we do so. I’ve also been told that during the second king’s reign, this mountain used to be a bypass between the then two capitals, Bumthang and Kuenga Rabten(Trongsa). I wonder how people could have been able to walk for days, sleep under trees and cook beside the paths.
the mountain ranges we could see from Kitiphu

The winter wind blew so hard that it could push us off the steep edges. It was my father’s advice to start early from home to avoid from the harsh weather. The four-hour-walk (which was actually just about two hours) sipped all my energy and I was barely walking before reaching up to the top. I constantly needed to eat and drink on the way.  For once I felt like I could never, in my life, be able to reach up there. But the beautiful mountain did not fail to pull me up. What kept me going were also the little caves and cliffs on the chest of the mountain which held mysterious stories about nuns and monks who flew away after their meditation.
the mountain ranges in the west
Reaching up was like literally reaching the top of the world. The beautiful prayer flags painted the mountain so colourfully and it glowed just under the azure sky. I felt like I’ve lost all my weight and become like one of those models from Victoria’s Secret. The blue sky looked just a foot above my head and beneath was the whole valley of Bumthang. My father said that kitiphu is like an eye to Bumthang. And sure it was when I got there, we could see the Tang valley and Ura in the East, the historic Jakar dzong which beamed among the green trees and of course Chumey which was the clearest. The fields which lay barren in winter mazed the valley and tiny houses were what we could see among them.
The chhoekor valley of Bumthang

on the way back

Just like how the dwarves from J.R.R Tolkien’s “the Hobbit” feel when they reach the Lonely Mountain(their home), I was the happiest person when I finally got to Kitiphu. The air washed away all the weariness, anger; sorrow and monster in me that I never wanted to come back from there. I was in love with that mountain!

Comments

  1. NobuFebruary 2, 2015 at 3:18 AM

    Sunshine, your words are beautiful. You always had that expressive skill and I know you will continue to grow with the beautiful words that you nurture. I want to read more so start writing:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sonam ChodenFebruary 2, 2015 at 11:00 PM

    Thank you sir :D
    You have always been an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownFebruary 7, 2015 at 2:57 AM

    Yoh dear its too good i heard of ur writing neva read a good piece so its great dear....dnt let dis be da last piece....wuld love to read more

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sonam ChodenFebruary 7, 2015 at 2:57 PM

      Thank you Kinzang! I'm really glad you read this piece :D

      Delete
    2. Sonam ChodenFebruary 7, 2015 at 2:58 PM

      Thank you Kinzang! I'm really glad you read this piece :D

      Delete
  4. Tshering TashiFebruary 13, 2015 at 2:23 AM

    Nice observation. Your article should go to Tashi Delek Magazine through Journal. You helped me in recollecting those memories I had at those ridges. I am proud of you that you made it up to the Top.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sonam ChodenFebruary 14, 2015 at 2:06 AM

      Thank you acho, for reading it in the first place!

      Delete
    2. Tshering TashiMarch 18, 2015 at 2:46 AM

      Welcome. Keep updating your blog.. Unlike mine.. haha..

      Delete
  5. Jampel NorbuMarch 18, 2015 at 12:39 AM

    it was nicely expressed .....i could flashback my memories.....like it (y)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sonam ChodenMarch 18, 2015 at 2:16 AM

    Thank you for reading it :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownMarch 24, 2015 at 9:56 PM

    your words are beautiful and nicely expressed, keep updating your blog

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hemen WaryJanuary 15, 2016 at 8:45 PM

    beauty of Mother Gaia. the scenery is so blissful. will surely visit Bumthang someday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sonam ChodenJanuary 31, 2016 at 8:18 AM

      Bumthang is a beautiful place to visit. There are more beautiful places!

      Delete

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