Pemaling, under Trashi Yangtse District is considered as one of the most sacred sites of Guru Rinpoche in country. But, the sacred site is not as popular as other sacred sites in the country given the remoteness of it.
The site also lacks infrastructure like proper walking trails and shelters for the pilgrims.
Currently, only a few groups of people visit the sacred sites.
The sacred sites are located at the source of Kholongchhu. So to reach the source, it takes four-days of trekking along the banks of Kholongchhu.
Almost everything has to be carried from Trashi Yangtse. Since there is no proper mule track, the only option is to hire local people as porters.
During the summer, swollen rivers and landslides block most of these trails. After crisscrossing numerous streams and rivers and spending two nights along the way, pilgrims reach Shingphel village.
Shingphel is the summer residence of the nomads from Taphel village where they live with their animals. Shingphel is also the starting point of the sacred sites.
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The sacred sites are scattered all over the picturesque mountains. So it is impossible to camp at one site and visit the sacred sites. It takes another five to six days of continuous trekking to visit all the sacred sites and lakes.
But, the main problem is lack of shelter during the night and firewood to cook the food. Most pilgrims seek shelter in caves.
Rinzin Nima from Shingphel has been guiding the pilgrims to Pemaling for the last 30 years.
“Sometime in a group, there are 40 people. The minimum is about 10 people. So during the summer because of the rain and wind, there is no proper place for the pilgrims to even camp during the night, “says Rinzin Nima.
He said when they don’t get proper rest, the easily suffer from mountain sickness.
However, the District Administration in Trashi Yangtse says Pemaling has not been neglected. But the remoteness of the sacred site is a challenge for the administration to execute the plans. Currently they are preparing to repair the ruins of a guesthouse, which was built in the 1960’s.
The whole sacred site area falls under the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in Trashi Yangtse. The wildlife office is therefore planning the conservation and promotion of the sacred sites.
