mebar Tsho

Mebar Tsho, also known as Membartsho or the Burning Lake, is a sacred site in Bhutan, located in the Tang Valley of Bumthang District. It is revered as the place where Pema Lingpa, Bhutan's greatest tertön (treasure revealer), discovered several hidden treasures of Guru Rinpoche in the 15th century.

According to legend, Pema Lingpa had a vision urging him to dive into the lake. To prove his authenticity, he held a butter lamp in his hand and jumped into the water. When he emerged, he carried a chest and a scroll, with the butter lamp still burning brightly—hence the name Burning Lake.

Today, Mebar Tsho is a popular pilgrimage site, adorned with colorful prayer flags and a small altar dedicated to Pema Lingpa. It is believed that enlightened beings can see a temple at the bottom of the lake. The site is maintained by the nuns of Pema Tekchok Choling Nunnery, Bhutan’s first Buddhist university for women.