Chumphu Nye – Floating Statue – A Day Hike in Paro

Amazing Hike to Bhutan’s Chumphu Caves and the Floating Statue Site

Chumphu is in Paro, the western District of Bhutan. It takes about 4 to 8 hours hike to reach and visit this site and be back. After leaving your vehicle at the end of the road, the walk is casual and not too tiring as the hike path goes through the forests so there is a lot of shade and cool breeze.

From here on its a medium to steep climb up to the Temple where the “Dorji Phamo – The flying Goddess” Or the “floating” statue is situated. Dorji Phamo is also known as Dorje Phamo or Vajravarahi.This statue is very sacred and ancient as its believed that the Goddess Dorji Phamo flew from Tibet and stayed on in the form of a statue. She is a life size statue and believe it or not, her one leg is crossed at the knees and the other is standing but does not touch the ground.

Some people test this belief by passing a money note below her feet and it passes through smoothly without a hitch.

The other site to visit at Chumphu is the Guru Rimpoche Caves. There are several caves used by Guru himself and some caves used by his consorts like Khandom Mendharawa and Khandom Yeshey Tshokey. There are water falls said to be the bathing place of Guru Padmasambhava and there are big rock opening said to be the opening gates to Heaven.
However, inside the temple photography is not permitted so could not take a photo of the Floating Dorji Phamo.

For the Bhutanese people and all travelers and tourists to Bhutan, I recommend that you hike to this temple. The peace and joy you feel visiting this temple is just amazing and calming to the mind and soul.

Chumphu Nye is called the second tsari and the first tsari is located in Tibet that is known as Tsari Rongkor. This Nye in Tibet is very famous but it was prophesied that the first tsari will slowly decline and Chumphu Nye will be the main tsari.

His Holiness the ninth Je Khenpo Shakya Rinchen discovered Chumphu Nye. His Holiness also built the present lhakang and named it as Tsari Nyipa. The main statue of this lhakang is Dorje Phagmo (Vajravarahi). This statue is mysteriously standing in the air. The legend says that when the statue was discovered from the lake, the height of the statue was about a foot. The lake from where the statue was discovered is above the monastery. It is said that the statue suddenly grew to the present height and was placed in the lhakang as the main statue.

As you visit the temple, the caretaker will tell you two things about the statue. First is that the statue is literally floating in the air. He will take you to alter and enclose the statue. He will make you believe that the statue is standing in the air by sliding a money note below the foot of the statue. Witnessing that moment will amaze you. You will also be able to see a small gap between the statue and the base.

The second beautiful thing is that the statue is not man made. It is believed that that Dorje Phagmo appeared in person and turned herself to this statue. After seeing this wonderful statue, you can offer your prayers and make a wish. It is believed here that if you wish anything beside greed, it will come true. The excitement and blessing comes when you personally visit and witness everything.

Chumbu nye caves and lakes

After you visit the temple, you can visit the caves where the Guru Rinpoche meditated. There are several caves that were even used by the consorts of Guru such as Khandom Mendharawa and Khandom Yeshay Tshokey.

You can also have few minutes walk above the temple to a small lake. It is actually a pool carved into the rocks by a beautiful waterfall. You can witness the beautiful waterfalls that is said to be the bathing place of Guru. You will also find a big rock opening that is believed to be the opening gates of Heaven.

Hiking Info

Difficulty Level:              Medium

Best Season:                    March, April, May, June and Sept, Oct and Nov

Maximum Elevation:   3100m         

Walking distance:         5-6 km from road point

Walking time:                 2 hour one-way

Attraction:                        The statue is not resting; it is floating in the air. It is floating because the statue is Dorji Phamo who appeared in person and turned herself to a statue. It is not hand made.