DOCHU LA

The Dochu La (la means pass in Dzongkha, is a mountain pass in the snow covered Himalayas within Bhutan on the road from Thimpu to Punakha.It has 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens". It was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. These were built as a memorial in honour of the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed in the December 2003 military operation.

The chortens are built in three layers, the first lowest level layer has forty five chortens, the second has thirty six and the top layer has twenty seven built around the main chorten. 

The pass is located at an elevation of 3,100 metres that is 10,200 ft. To the east of the pass, the snow clad mountain peaks of the Himalayas can be seen prominently and among them is the Mt. Masanggang, also known as Mt. Gangkar Puensum in local language at 7,158 metres (23,484 ft) which is the highest peak in Bhutan.

dochula pass covered in ice after the snowfall

The weather at the pass usually remains foggy and chilly. However, between October and February, panoramic views of the Bhutan Himalayas can be seen. 

                                                                       View of the Bhutan himalayas

The forest cover on the slopes of the pass consists of cypress trees. The hill slopes around the pass are festooned with colourful religious flags, made in five colours representing the natural forces,- blue (sky), white (clouds), red (fire), green (water) and yellow (earth). The flags are inscribed with Buddhist scriptural prayers.

After the Losar festival in February, which is the Bhutanese New Year, and as the snow melts, the pass provides a spectacle of many species of flowers such as the Primal Denticulata, Primula Garcilipes and in the subsequent month rhododendrons bloom. Another fragrant plant,which people come to enjoy, is the Daphne which is a small shrub which blooms with white flowers. The pass with 108 memorial chortens is adjacent to the country's first Royal Botanical Park.

Druk wangyal lhakhang

Apart from the chortens there is a monastery called the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple), built in honour of the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck celebrating 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan. Paintings on themes of Bhutanese history decorate the walls of the temple. 

 Dochu La Wangyal Festival

mask dance being performed during the festival

The Dochula Druk Wangyel Tsechu (Festival) is held annually on December 13, at Druk Wangyel Festival ground located at Dochula pass. This festival was established in 2011 to commemorate victory of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the Armed Forces in 2003. A festival involves costumed mask dances performed by armed force instead of local people.