PEMA GATSHEL

Situated at an altitude of 1,600 meters (5,200 feet), Pemagatshel stands as one of the small district in Bhutan, yet it holds a rich historical legacy. Encompassing a portion of the ancient Dungsam region, Pemagatshel once thrived as a vital stop along the trade route connecting Trashigang to the Indian state of Assam. 

Despite its modest size, the district boasts a rural charm, characterized by scattered gypsum mines dotting the landscape. Notably, Tshebar village in Pemagatshel is renowned for nurturing skilled craftsmen, particularly revered for their expertise in crafting musical instruments, adding a cultural flourish to the region’s identity.

YONGLA GOENPA

Yongla Goenpa, also known as Yongla Riwo Pelbar Dargeychholing Goenpa, located in Pemagatshel, underwent reconstruction under the command of His Majesty The King following the 2009 earthquake, which inflicted significant damage to the goenpa. It is believed that Yongla Goenpa serves as a guardian of Bhutan’s sovereignty from the south, while Rigsum Goenpa in Trashiyangtse fulfills a similar role from the north. The historical significance of these two goenpas is profound.

Perched majestically atop a mountaintop resembling a phurba, or ritual dagger, Yongla Goenpa commands a breathtaking view of the valleys of Samdrupjongkhar and the plains of Assam. Its presence is strikingly visible from Tshelingkhor along the Trashigang-Samdrupjongkhar highway. However, despite its significance, the history of the goenpa remained unrecorded until Lam Sonam Zangpo, who served as the goenpa’s lam between 1969 and 1970, enlisted the help of Lopon Dozang from Yurung to document its history.