Sky burial or the practice of feeding dead bodies to the vultures still exists in Gangyuel, a village under Lingzhi Gewog in Thimphu. The practice has been passed on from generations.
Our reporter, Eshori Gurung, who visited the site says that it is located on the river bed, between the mountains above Gangyuel village. It is called “Tandro Duthrey”.
According to the local residents the site is revered as one of the most important sky burial locations of the four present in the world today.
Tshering Pem, a native of Gangyuel says only the descendants of Pazaps or warriors are entitled for sky burial. Rest of the villagers has to arrange on their own. People visiting the site, prostrate and circumambulate the small Chorten.
“It is said that if people come here and pretend to be dead on the slab where the dead bodies are kept, there won’t be need for any rituals if they die suddenly or are unable to perform one,” says Tshering Pem.
