The history reveals that the name “Dungkar” originated from the physical shape of the land, which resembles a conch shell. Dungkar Choeje Lhakhang is believed to stand at the tip of this conch shell-shaped land. Dungkar village serves as the ancestral hometown of our beloved monarch, and Dungkar Choeje Lhakhang is recognized as the birthplace of the Wangchuck Dynasty. Today, the Lhakhang is owned by Choeje Tobgay, a descendant of Dungkar Choeje, who resides with his family on the second floor of the Lhakhang.
The Lhakhang houses numerous sacred relics and “Termas” discovered by renowned Tertons, including Terton Pema Lingpa and the esteemed Saint Desi Tenzin Rabgay. With funding support from the government, the current owner of the Lhakhang coordinates several annual events: Gurdra, held on the 28th and 29th days of the second month of the Bhutanese calendar; Gemjatshar, taking place from the 30th day of the tenth month until the 4th day of the 11th month; and Dungkar Tshechu (Terchham), celebrated from the 8th to the 11th days of the 11th month. These events are organized for the well-being and long life of our beloved kings and all sentient beings.
Origin of Dungkar Choeje
Among the six sons (thuksey) of Rigzin Pema Lingpa, Thuksey Kheadup Kuenga Wangpo, the fourth son, visited Khochung Goenpa as prophesied by his father, Rigzin Lingpa. He married Nye Duzang Wangmo from Choewang Dungjoe. They had two children; the younger son, Choje Ngawang, married Karma Lekzon, the daughter of Lukchu Choeje (Gangla Khoema, Khoma).
Choje Ngawang had four sons:
- Khecho: Visited Tashigang, Bidung.
- Sanga: Visited Dungsam, Khari.
- Kuenga Gyeltshen: Visited the densa of Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam in Kurtoe Kuenzangling.
While Dungsay Kuenga Gyeltshen was meditating in Kuenzangling, his Sangyum gave birth to five sons. In the third year, three of his sons became known as Phola Phuen Sum. Subsequently, these three sons visited Dungkar and settled there, leading to Dungkar being referred to as Dungkar Norbu Choling.
Tenzin Gyeltshen's daughter, Tashi Pelbar, resided in Mangdi, along with Benbi Choeje and his son, Tenpai Nima. Among Tenpai Nima's four children, his second son, Choeje Dradak Sam Rinchen, traveled to Tibet for studies and later returned to Bhutan.
Sam Rinchen’s two sons:
- Younger son Rigzin :went to Tibet to study
- Elder son Tubshong
- Tubshong’s son Pema Regay married Khalong Lama’s daughter Namkha Dema
Pema Regay’s son Rabgay Gaysam Tshewang
Rabgay Sam Tshewang’s Choeje Pema married Dungsam Bangtsho Choeje’s daughter Galey Wangzom.
Choeje Pema’s five sons and daughter:
- Pila Goenpo Wangyel
- Namdrol
- Pala Gyeltshen
- Thinley Jatsho
- Penden Norbu
A. Pila Goenpo Wangyel was born in 1782. Later he went to Dungkar and married Jangsa Sonam Pelzom and gave birth to five children.
- Dorji
- Gyeltshen
- Jigme Namgyel
- Ashi Tshering Dolma
- Yuden
Dorji resided at Zhidrang and his son and a daughter Rinchen Zangmo (Jasabe) and son Paro Penlop Dawa Penjor.
Gyeltshen: Choetshe Darpoen and Zhemgang Dzongpon.
Sonam Zangpo and Jamyang Khentse
Ashi Tshering Dolma: Dechen Phodrang
Yuden: stayed with parents at Kurtoe.
Jigme Namgyel married Penlop Ugyen Phuntsho’s daughter Ashi Pema Choki