Yongla Pelri Gonpa

Yongla Pelri Gonpa

One of the most well known monasteries under Pemagatshel district in eastern Bhutan is the Pelri Gonpa, built in 1736, widely known today as Yongla Gonpa. It is located on top of a mountain and as one travels over the national highway linking Samdrup Jongkhar to Trashigang, one can catch a glimpse of the temple at the junction known as Tshelingkhor where the road diverts and leads to Pema Gatshel. From this junction it is a half an hour drive to the monastery.

Yongla Pelri Gonpa

The founder of the monastery Kheydrup Jigme Kundel was from Darlung Kha in Wang, Thimphu in the 18th century. In a dream Khandro Dechen Gyalmo appeared to him on one fateful night and informed him that this was not the destined place. Guided by this vision he finally reached Yongla in Pemagatshel. On reaching Yongla he found the landscape very similar to that of Tsari in Tibet and he asked the spirit to confirm him in his beliefs that this was indeed the correct site foretold by his master. The spirit replied yes, yes (yong, yong) and thereby the area came to be known as Yongla.

Now positive that he was in the right place, Jigme Kundel meditated immediately. As time passed people from the nearby villages approached him for blessings and teachings. Jigme Kundel graciously gave them blessings and teachings and over time built a meditation centre.

He soon attracted many disciples and centres flourished around Yongla. A nunnery was also established close by, and was looked after by Kudung, a disciplinarian. Exactly a year to the day after the death of Lama Jigme Kundel at the request of Lama Dorji Jamtsho construction of a monastery was initiated.