Villagers in the remote settlement of Khoma, in Bhutan’s northeastern Lhuentse district, have traded their usual serenity for welcoming bustle this week as hundreds of pilgrims pass through en route to one of the kingdom’s most sacred retreats. Over 400 devotees have already departed Khoma for Singye Dzong—known locally as the “Lion’s Fortress”—in anticipation of the annual Tshok Bum offering, set to commence in eight days, officials report.
Traditionally a tranquil hamlet of scattered wooden homes and fertile rice terraces, Khoma has temporarily transformed into a waystation. Local teahouses have extended their hours, and every spare mattress beneath the eaves is claimed by pilgrims seeking rest before the arduous climb ahead. “We’re honored to host these faithful travelers,” said Pema Dorji, head of the Khoma Gewog Administration. “Our community is coming together to provide shelter, hot meals, and spiritual support.”
The Tshok Bum ceremony, a multi-day ritual invoking blessings of protection and prosperity, draws worshippers from across Bhutan and neighboring Indian states. Devotees trek for days, often barefoot, to reach Singye Dzong’s 3,500-metre elevation. Along the dusty trail winding through rhododendron forests and dramatic ridgelines, teams of porters and local guides ferry offerings—rice, butter lamps, and sacred texts—on their shoulders.
For Khoma’s inhabitants, the pilgrimage season offers both spiritual uplift and modest economic relief. Families whose fields lie fallow during the dry season supplement their income by hosting pilgrims, while artisans sell woven scarves and prayer flags. “This influx reminds us why our ancestors first built these lodgings,” noted Tshering Lhamo, a local weaver. “It’s a blessing to see our culture and hospitality live on.”
As Tshok Bum approaches, Khoma’s normally muted dawn chorus of birdsong now competes with the chatter of pilgrims reviewing prayer texts and exchanging blessings. In eight days’ time, Singye Dzong’s ancient courtyards will echo with ceremonial chants—but for now, Khoma stands poised at the heart of a sacred journey, its own quiet spirit awakened by the steady flow of the faithful.
