Haunted places in Bhutan that will give you goosebumps

 

Fans of ghost stories and scary movies who want to see some real haunted places in Bhutan don’t have to look far.

 

You may have heard that Bhutan is one of the happiest countries on the planet, with a fairytale kingdom hidden deep in the Himalayas.

 

But have you heard of these sinister haunted places that can send shivers up your spine?

 

From the haunted ruins of the 17th century Drugyel Dzong to the spirits of the Tang valley, it is definite that those of you who love some thrill in your visit to Bhutan would love to visit these places and uncover its mysterious stories.

 

Norbu Bhutan Pvt. Ltd. can arrange specialized tours if you plan to visit these places with professional guides and assistance.

 

Be cautious, and If you dare enter any of these spooky sites, try not to jump when someone screams at night, or something grabs you from behind!

1.  Chorten Kora, A Sacrifice To Defeat The Evil

 

Chorten Kora is one of the most haunted places in Bhutan

 

The Chorten Kora stupa is a shrunken model of the Bodhnath stupa in Nepal.

 

Built by Lama Ngawang Loday, which took approximately 12 years to complete, it is a sight to behold for people who want to visit haunted places in Bhutan.

 

The Lama had built the stupa with carved stones and wanted to replace the pinnacle with a round dome structure (cupola).

 

It was physically impossible for locals to bring down the previous stone-carved pinnacle, so the Lama had performed rituals during the day, and the carved stone miraculously descended itself at night.

To this day, the temple lights up gloriously when people come to offer prayers and honor the sacrifice made by Azi Chorten Zangmo on the 15th day of the lunar calendar.

2.  Tang Valley, The Things You See In The Night Are More Than Just Shadows

Tang valley is one of the haunted places in Bhutan brimming with malevolent spirits

Bumthang Tang Valley is one of Bhutan’s best-kept secrets. Tang beckons with its pure highland beauty, despite being the least accessible of the Bumthang valleys.

 

Explore windswept peaks covered with grazing sheep and wander down verdant slopes populated with yaks.

 

Tang is proud of its sacred shrines and spiritual heritage, including the great saint Terton Pema Lingpa, who unearthed many treasures as predicted by Guru Rimpoche.

 

But not all tales end in a happy ending; most of the stories of Tang valley revolve around Buddhist masters persecuting evil and powerful spirits who roam the valley to this day.

 

During the seventh century, Guru Padmasambhava is said to have calmed the demonic spirits who were causing havoc among the people.

 

Some spirits were so strong that they could elude the great Guru’s effort to subdue them.

 

These spirits harm the villagers, from illness and death to wounds on people’s bodies.

 

The spirits are both feared and revered to this day, making this place one of the most haunted places in Bhutan.

 

3.  The Shapeshifting Maleficent, Nyala Duem

 

One of the haunted places in Bhutan shrouded in mystery

 

Until recently, a day in a Bhutanese home would typically end with children gathered around a fire listening to older people tell stories.

 

The mythology of the shapeshifting maleficent demon Nyala Duem, who dwelt along the Wangdue-Trongsa roadway, was one of them. People used to flee home as dusk fell, fearful of the Nyala Duem.

 

The demon is said to have lived in the concave mountain, among the gloomy forest, opposite the Chendibji River, making it one of the most haunted places in Bhutan, killing and sickening locals and visitors alike.

 

According to legends passed down through the years, the demoness would sometimes transform herself into a monk, other times into a lovely woman, and occasionally into a guy wearing a conical hat.

 

The most prominent story of the Duem is how Garp Lunghi Khorlo lost his soul to her.

 

According to legend, in the olden days, the fastest messenger, known as Garp Lunghi Khorlo, wished the Duem to kill him when crossing the Nyalaluem because he was exhausted.

 

When the maleficent demon sought to harm the saint in the 17th century, Drubthob Druzhida is said to have restrained her from doing so.

 

The demon is said to have transformed into a massive serpent and entered the Nyala Lhakhang.

 

On the other hand, the saint triumphed and transformed her into one of the local protector deities.

 

The Phub, or dagger that was used to subdue her, is still kept at the Lhakhang. There are many other stories that are hidden in these Lkakhangs (monasteries) that will make you want to visit more.

 

Read about 10 Famous Monasteries In Bhutan and unravel the stories these places have to tell.

 

 

4.  Drugyel Dzong, The Scary Ruins

 

The scary ruin of Drugyel Dzong is one of the haunted places in Bhutan

 

On a ridge in the upper Paro valley is the old ruin of the Drugyel Dzong, considered Bhutan’s most magnificent and famous archaeological site.

 

The Dzong was created to commemorate the Bhutanese victory over the united forces of Tibetan and Mongolian troops, which tried repeated assaults on the nation, as its name suggests (Druk means Bhutan and means Gyel means victory).

5.  Gom Kora

 

A pilgrimage yet one of the haunted places in Bhutan

 

Gom Kora is a temple in Trashigang and serves as a gateway to Trashiyangtsi. It used to be known as Gomphu Kora, which meant Guru Rinpoche’s sacred meditation ground.

According to folklore, Myongkhapa, an evil ghost from Tibet’s Samye, fled and followed the current path of the Kholongchhu stream into Bhutan, wreaking havoc and hiding in a rock near Gomphu Kora.

 

Guu Rinpoche, the founder of the Nyingma Buddhist school, pursued the evil spirit and meditated for three days inside the rock cave before finally destroying the spirit.

 

Although it is a pilgrimage, people still fear the presence of Myongkhapa.

 

Conclusion

 

Would you venture into Tang’s dark, frightening valley after the sunset? Or would you be willing to spend the night somewhere between Wangdue and Trongsa now that you have read about these haunted places in Bhutan?

 

Bhutan is rich in amazing stories, whether passed down through families, literature, or legends passed by the older generations.

 

And, for many, the best stories involve a thrill or twist that sends shivers down your spine.

 

There are rumors of demons, hauntings, and more at these five locations. So prepare to learn about the things that mysteriously move in the night and — perhaps — experience them yourself during an overnight stay at your desired location.

 

You can arrange a specialized tour with Norbu Bhutan Pvt. Ltd. so that you can see these destinations for yourself while remaining safe and cautious.