Tidrum Nunnery is located in Dedrom Village, Menba Township, Mozhugongka County, around 140km away from Lhasa. It lies in a narrow gorge at the confluence of two streams, surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and festooned with colorful prayer flags. Nestled in the valley is the Tidrum Hot Spring, which, according to legend, was blessed by Guru Rinpoche himself, making it one of the four sacred hot springs of Tibet. Tidrum Nunnery is about 7 kilometers from Drigung Til Monastery. While Drigung Til houses monks, Tidrum is home to nuns. Visitors usually tour both monasteries together.
Tidrum Nunnery
Tidrum Nunnery is a Kagyu sect temple of Tibetan Buddhism and serves as a nunnery. The main hall is two stories high and quite imposing.
Tidrum is regarded by Tibetan Buddhists as one of the seven sacred sites of the southern continent (Jambudvīpa). This small nunnery has deep connections with Yeshe Tsogyal, the consort of Guru Rinpoche and queen of King Trisong Detsen. The Kandro-la, the resident female spiritual leader of the nunnery, is considered a reincarnation of Yeshe Tsogyal. The nunnery is home to over 100 nuns who treat every visitor kindly. Inside the monastery, you’ll hear the continuous chanting of scriptures, and outside, there are prayer wheels powered by wind and water.
Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal are said to have meditated in retreat behind the hot springs in the mountains of Tidrum. During their retreat, demons tried every means to interrupt their practice and stop their efforts to remove obstacles. But because the mountain was full of hidden caves, the demons couldn’t find where they were meditating and failed in their efforts. The mountain where these practice caves are located came to be known as the "Sacred Jewel Mountain of Tidrum." It is believed that anyone who spends even a moment in these caves will receive powerful blessings from Guru Rinpoche and Yeshe Tsogyal.
Tidrum Hot Spring
The Dezhong Hot Spring Pool is a half-high wall with stones. Part of it has a simple roof. Most of it is open-air. The conditions are simple. It is a very natural and primitive hot spring. The male pool is on the top and the female pool is on the bottom, and each has spring water gushing out. The hot spring temperature is moderate and rich in mineral components such as sulfur, coal and limestone. Locals say that this mixed spring water has medical value and treats various diseases, from rheumatism to paralysis, so many Tibetans go to soak.
The hot spring manager strictly requires visitors to bathe nude—swimsuits are not needed—but it’s advisable to bring a towel and a pair of flip-flops for convenience. Photography is strictly prohibited, even when no one is in the pool.
Occasionally, you might spot medicinal snakes slithering out from the cracks between the stones. Tibetans believe that these snakes enhance the healing properties of the spring water. If one bites you, it is considered a sign of good fortune and is even believed to have the power to heal illness.
Tips: Since the altitude of Tidrum Hot Spring exceeds 4,500 meters and the water temperature is high, it is recommended to soak in the hot spring for no more than 20 minutes to avoid altitude sickness.
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