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Gom Kora - Treasures of Guru Rinpoche Traditional Cache

Hidden : 9/14/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:


If you plan to visit Bhutan, you should think about coming to the far east of the country.
Though it is not easy to get there, it is definitely worth it - here you have the Bhutan of 10 years ago, so don´t wait for too long!

A day trip by car from Trashigang leads north to Trashi Yangtse.
After 25 km you will see a big black rock and the temple of Gom Kora on your right hand side on the banks of the Kulong River.

This is one of the most renowned places in Bhutan, because here Guru Rinpoche subdued a demon that had lived in that big back rock.
For that purpose, the Guru transformed himself into the shape of the mythical bird-shaped Garuda after long meditation.
Inside the temple, some "treasures" of the Guru and his Tibetian consort in the form of specially shaped stones are on display.

At the southern end of the big black rock you can see the cave where the Guru meditated to subdue the demon and where he left the imprint of his head  - here you can also creep through a short narrow passage to get rid of your sins.
Making your way around the rock in the clockwise direction you can alternatively try to climb it from the western side - it looks easy, but it isn´t!
I tried to climb twice, but obviously my sins were to heavy and drew me down to earth again.
Unfortunately the "passage of sinners" mentioned above was flooded at this time of the year  - and I decided that my sins were not heavy enough for me to dive through it, so alas! I had to take them back home...
If you get there, you can try both methods - good luck to you!

When you continue your Kora around the rock in the clockwise direction, you will get down some stone steps and see a big Bodhi tree in front of you, with the rock on its right and the surrounding wall on its left.

The cache, a black film canister sized micro, is placed in the wall, above eye level, just opposite the Bodhi tree.
It is wedged into a small  hole just below one of the painted wooden beams that support the roof, hidden with some small stones.
It is the 4th beam from the left of the roof just opposite the Bodhi tree.

***Look out for people that may come down the steps behind you while you are busy - best to ask your guide to keep guard!***
Be careful and cover again with the stones!

Have a nice and interesting stay in Bhutan, and may you find lots of treasures on your way!









Small note on cache maintenance:
There is a local cache guardian who will assist.
Name and contact info on file with geocaching.com.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[If the container is gone, your replacement will be very appreciated - thank you!]

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)