A day Nyekhor to Rongtse Nye commonly known as Rangtse Nye in Sombaykha, Gakiling Gewog under Haa Dzongkhag, is believed to be the secret abode of Guru Rinpoche and Khandro Yeshey Tshogyel as per Lodruk Chojung, which was written by late Je Geshey Geden Rinchen the 69th Je Khenpo’s history records the origin and rise of Dharma in Bhutan. It was written that there is a sacred place of Guru Rinpoche called “Rinchen Shong” in Haa Dzongkhag, which is about (203kms) six-hour drive from Thimphu – Paro – Haa -Sombaykha via Chelela passes (3880m) & Tergo La (4135m).
Crossing Tergo-La or Tergang La -4135m (Tergo/Tergang means hidden treasure door), toward sombaykha sense of entering a valley of hidden spiritual treasures, it was a pleasant drive from Thimphu to Haa. However, from Haa to Sombaykha via Tergo La (81kms) If you have never heard or traveled, I will share a glimpse of what I have seen and experienced. Upon reaching Sombaykha Dungkhag, roads are bumpy and difficult for light vehicles, and the only region with two different temperate zones, as it lies in the north but stretches its boundary towards the south, the two southern gewogs of Sombaykha and Gakiling, Haa share its temperature like that of Samtse.
After reaching the Sombaykha Dungkhag, we have to drive 2km to the Rongtse Nye car parking and around 40 minutes is just a walk along with and across the Nyachhu (stream) three times to reach the base of the Rongtse Nye. Therefore, it will be difficult for people to visit the Nye in summer because of swollen Nyachhu. Rongtse Nye remained hidden until His Majesty the King’s visit on December 23, 2017. Today, the nye gets visitors from places as far, and there is a huge tourism potential providing facilities.
The nye is an important attraction for the two remote southern gewogs of Sangbaykha and Gakiling. Starting from the entrance of the lime cave, one has to sneak through a long, dark tunnel. It is believed that there are seven doors inside the cave, but I managed to cross only the five doors.
After reaching the third door (Nyego) breathing becomes heavier, the earth warmer, and the smell of lime and bats suffocates. The further into the cave, the tunnel becomes narrower, and the further you go, you have to crawl. It is pitch dark inside the cave. The sharp rock points towards you like icicles. But the faithful visitors take in a mesh rock resembling a mandrel offering, the footprint of Guru Rinpoche, and the holy pudenda of Khandro Yeshey Tshogyel, among others. There are numerous underpasses inside the dark cave. Elderlies of the gewog believe that there are more treasures concealed by Guru Rinpoche in Sombaykha.
I would recommend those visiting the site to take a local guide. Once you are inside the entrance of the cave, there are two different ways. One leads to Guru Drubkhang (the meditation place of Guru Rinpoche )and the other to Khandro Yeshey Tshogyel Drubkhang (the meditation place of Khandro Yeshe Tshogyal ). On the side of a rock inside the cave, there is a Vajra of Guru, the Yoni of Dakini, a lotus flower and religious articles and instruments, etc. There are many images of faith and good fortune, that can perceive an assemblage of hundred gods in peaceful and Wrathful forms.
Explore yourself the most unique and sacred abode cave of Guru Rinpoche and Khando Yeshey Tshogyal, where you can take memories and leave footprints after visiting Rongtse Nye in Sombaykha – Gakiling gewog under Haa Dzongkhag.