Every autumn, in October or November, a mystical glow illuminates the heart of Bumthang Valley. The Jambay Lhakhang Drup, one of Bhutan’s most unique and spiritually charged festivals, comes alive at the sacred temple of Jambay Lhakhang. It is believed to be one of the first monasteries in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Alongside Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro, it is a cornerstone of Bhutanese Buddhism.

The festival honours Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. But what sets it apart is the unforgettable Mewang—the fire blessing ceremony. As night falls and the mountain air sharpens, villagers and visitors gather beneath a towering gate of burning grasses. With sparks dancing overhead, they run beneath the flames, believing the ritual purifies spirit, body, and mind and ushers in good fortune.

Around the fire, masked dancers perform sacred cham, their steps echoing ancient legends of good prevailing over evil. The fire crackles, shadows leap across the timeworn stone, and villagers break into folk songs—voices rising into the starlit sky, carrying centuries of devotion.

This is not merely a spectacle. It is a moment where myth, ritual, and community intertwine. For those lucky enough to witness it in Jakar, the Jambay Lhakhang Drup is a window into Bhutan’s spiritual soul—timeless, bold, and profoundly moving.