Bhutan’s Spiritual Heart – The Burning Lake of Bumthang

The first time you hear of Burning Lake in Bhutan, you might be thinking if there is indeed fire over water. Well, no! But what lies behind this sacred place is much more interesting than that.

Imagine this: hundreds of years ago, a Buddhist master by the name of Pema Lingpa needed to prove he was genuine. What did he do? He took a burning lamp and jumped headfirst into this deep lake inBumthang valley. When he emerged from the water, guess what? The lamp was still burning! Wild, huh? That's how this site earned its name "Mebar Tsho," or "burning lake," as locals refer to it.

Today, if you go to Burning Lake in Bhutan, you'll find a serene area amidst green hills. Locals think that the water is auspicious, so pilgrims frequently pour butter lamps into the pool.

Wanna visit this magical destination yourself? We've structured OurBhutan Tour Packages so that you can visit Burning Lake as well as other amazing places that'll leave you awestruck.

What is the story of Burning Lake?

Many people wonder, "What is the story of Burning Lake?" The story of this lake comes from the 15th century. A great Buddhist saint named Terton Pema Lingpa is believed to have found sacred treasures in the lake. He was a famous treasure revealer and an important figure in Bhutanese Buddhism.

People say that Pema Lingpa had a vision that there were hidden spiritual treasures underwater in the lake. The king and the local people did not believe him. To prove the truth, Pema Lingpa jumped into the lake with a burning butter lamp in his hand. He said, “If I am telling the truth, I will return with the treasure and the lamp still burning.”

After some time, he came out of the lake holding a statue, sacred texts, and the butter lamp, still burning. From that day, this place became known as Burning Lake, or Mebar Tsho Bhutan, which means "Burning Lake" in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language.

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Why is Burning Lake special?