When Travelling to
Wangdue or Punakha from Thimphu after crossing Thinleygang one will come across
Penzo Gyelmo's Drupchu (holy water). The source of the holy water is from a
steep solid rock cliff.
Below the cliff, by
the side of the road a Chorten that houses water driven prayer wheel was built
and the blissful Drupchhu drives the wheel earlier. Unfortunately, the course
of water got changed to the other side and the prayer wheel remained symbolic
and static.
Recently while passing
by I stopped to collect a bottle of Drupchhu (that will be added with other Drupchhu
in my Bumpa).
Penzo Gyelmo's Drupchu
is generally used for cleansing defilements. There are 10 defilements, they
are:
(1) greed (lobha),
(2) hate (dosa),
(3) delusion (moha),
(4) conceit (māna),
(5) speculative views (diṭṭhi),
(6) Skeptical doubt
(vicikicchā),
(7) Mental torpor
(thīna),
(8) restlessness (uddhacca);
(9) shamelessness (ahirika),
(8) restlessness (uddhacca);
(9) shamelessness (ahirika),
(10) Lack of moral
dread or un-conscientiousness.
The other
defilement also includes defilement caused due to birth, sickness and death.
It is believe that
the cliff from where the Drupchu flows is a hidden land called bayul.
Many story surround
the Drupchhu. It is believed that a 16-year-old cow herder from Toep Silina was
hidden in the cliff and as compensation; the holy water was then gifted for the
village which then faced severe water shortage.
Others believe that
the Drupchu was a gift from the local deity called Penzo Gyelmo. The cliff from
where the Drupchu flows is actually the abode of Penzo Gyelmo and Ap Chundue.
Locals also believe
that the cliff above the Drupchu had an entrance to bayul. According to
villager, an old man, looking for his lost white bull reached the cliff where
he heard religious instruments, dung and jaling, playing. He entered the cliff
through a narrow passage and saw people attaining complete bliss inside the
cliff. When he remembered his home and family, he reached his home in an
instant, He didn't know that time had past so fast while he was in the bayul.
He saw his son, a baby when he left, become older than him.
Throughout the year
the drupchhu remain clear. It is warm in the morning and evening. Most of the
traveler stops here to drink and collect bottle or two.
I also always make
a point to drink the Drupchu whenever I pass by. I feel relived and blessed.
So
friends, don't zoomed out, stop by and have some Drupchu la.
