Dagana – The Land of Legendary Megaliths

Located underneath the scenic Thimphu Valley and Wangdue Phodrang, Dagana is esteemed as one of the most beautiful country sides in Bhutan. With Ngalops and Lhotshampas as the main inhabitants, this region is nestled amidst luxuriant forest areas. A major portion of this Bhutanese town is covered with dense and evergreen forests, and is rich with valuable trees like Champ, Sal, Augury, Chirpine, and several others.

If you want to experience serenity along with countless peaceful moments, you should head towards the town of Dagana. In addition to tranquil moments, you will also be greeted by the holy Daga Trashiyangtse Dzong and three sacred stone megaliths known as the ‘Do Namkhai Kal’ or the ‘Sky Pillar Rock’, ‘Do Kelpai Genethy’ or the ‘Rock of Ancient Steps’, and ‘Namkhai Dzong’ or the ‘Frontier Sky Fortress’.

According to the folklores, during the construction of Daga Trashiyangtse Dzong, people received a celestial message asking not to build the dzong any higher. Whatever the legends be, the beauty and sanctity that exists around the dzong and the three megaliths are truly heavenly, and must be experienced while visiting Dagana region.

Best Time to Visit Dagana: Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November)

How to Reach Dagana

By Air

If you are planning to reach Dagana by air, you should book your air tickets from India to the Paro International Airport in Bhutan. However, since there are certain restrictions in flying to and from Paro International Airport, you would not be able to book your flights from all the Indian airports. Here are some of the airports in India that has direct as well as connecting flights to Paro – Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Bodhgaya Airport in Gaya (Bihar), Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri (West Bengal), and Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (Assam).

Upon arrival at Paro Airport, you can take the local Bhutanese buses or hire a private vehicle to drive down to Dagana via Thimphu.

By Train

In order to reach Dagana by train, you should book your train tickets to some of the railway stations in West Bengal. Since this state is one of the closest Indian states to Bhutan, you can book your train ride to New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, New Alipurduar, or Hasimara; the last option would be an ideal choice as it is the closest one.

From any of these railway stations, you can take a drive to Jaigaon town on the Indo-Bhutan Border, and embark on another stretch of drive through Phuentsholing to reach Dagana.

By Road

In case, you are planning to reach Dagana by road, you should first make it to the Indian town of Jaigaon in Alipurduar district of West Bengal. From this town, you can enter Bhutan via Phuentsholing. Once you make your Bhutan entry, you can drive another 55km along the Thimphu-Phuentsholing Highway to reach Dagana by road.

Places to Visit in Dagana

Daga Trashiyangtse Dzong

Sky Pillar Rock

Rock of Ancient Steps

Frontier Sky Fortress

Shathong Lhakhang

Nyindukha Lhakhang

Thimphu Valley

Things to Do in Dagana

Temple and monastery visits

Local sightseeing

Cultural tours