Nepal... The celebrated birthplace of Lord Buddha. The hallowed cradle of Buddhism. The abode of Kumari-the Living Goddess. The homeland of the famed mighty Gurkhas...
Bhutan... The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is fast emerging from centuries of self imposed isolation Bhutan, hidden in the eastern Himalayas, is an exotic land of Mahayana Bhuddhism...
Tibet... "The Roof of the World" an ancient land of mystery with unique culture, mightily rivers, desolate mountains, unique & traditional Tibetan monasteries...
India... A cultural hub of South-Asia because of the ancient religious history and known as origin of Hindu civilization, India is full of religious sites which shows the cultural worthiness...
A self-imposed isolation and undeveloped infrastructure have insured that Bhutan remains the most mysterious country in South Asia. Consistently cautious with respect to contact with the outside world, the flow of tourists is tightly controlled. Less than 6,000 tourists visit Bhutan every year, and the government continues to make great efforts to uphold the country's religious and cultural traditions. Its official name, Druk-Yul, means 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'(the emblem portrayed on the national flag), and also 'Land of the Drukpa Kagyu school', indicating the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism which has come to dominate Bhutanese religious life since the 17th century. Sparsely inhibited, the mountains are magnificent, the forest are dense, the people are delightful, the air is pure, the architecture imposing, the religion exciting, the art superb. For the occasional visitor, Bhutan is truly Shangri-La, a mythical country hidden deep in the mountains.
PARO:
The first thing that you will notice in the Paro Valley is the transparent purity of the air and the absence of noise. The valley is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with the majestic Mount Chomolhari towering over it. Cosily tucked in this valley is the town of Paro. Most foreign visitors to Bhutan arrive by air at Paro, which is the only airport in the country. The Paro valley is enchanting. The road is lined by willow trees following a mountain stream; the gaily decorated houses have shingled roofs. A walk on foot across the valley is without doubt the best way to appreciate its beauty. Paro is believed to be one of the first valleys to have received the imprint of Buddhism, and two temples bear witness to the glorious introduction of the religion: Kyichu and Taktsang.
DRUGYEL DZONG:
16 kilometers north of Paro, stands the Drukgyel Dzong ('fortress of the victorious Drukpas') built to commemorate victory over the Tibetans in 1644, and to protect the Paro valley from further invasions. Situated on a hill, it stands against the snow peak of Mount Jhomolhari (7,313 meters), which appears as a backdrop. This mountain, which marks the frontier with Tibet, is sacred and it is the dwelling place of the goddess Jhomo. The fortress is protected by three towers and approached only from one direction, and gives the impression of shutting off the Paro Valley. Its position ensured that no one could travel on the Paro- Tibet road without being seen. Drukyel Dzong also has a beautiful village nestling at its foot.
MOUNT JHOMOLHARI:
Mount Jhomolhari (7,313 meters), the most sacred of mountains to the Bhutanese, is three days trekking from the Drugyel Dzong. This mountain, which marks the frontier with Tibet, is believed to be the dwelling place of the goddess 'Jhomo'. From Paro, most of the early part of the trek is through dense forest. As you start ascending, board panoramas of the mountains around Jhomolhari open out. Above the forest, the trekking is across yak pastures. The variation in altitude and vegetation plus the rich flora and fauna and stunning views make it an exceptionally good trek in October-November and April.
TA DZONG:
Above the Paro Dzong is the largest of the original watchtowers, or Ta Dzong, which since 1968 has housed the National Museum of Bhutan. The tower commands an excellent view of the Paro Dzong and the valley. This tower was built around 1651 by Tenzing Drugda. In 1965, the Third King, Jigme Dorje Wangchuk, conceived the idea of restoring the Ta Dzong as a place to house the National Museum. The museum is considered to be a temple because of the number of religious objects it contains, and this is why you must proceed in a clockwise direction.
RINPUNG DZONG (PARO DZONG):
The Rinpung Dzong, which means 'the fortress of the heap of jewels'. The dzong is the administrative center of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The dzong dominates the skyline and life of Paro and for 250 years it served as a bastion against invasions from the north. This dzong was built in the 15th century and after a few decades was constructed into a more commanding fortress. The central tower of the dzong, the Utse is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork the central tower also includes a number of temples.
THIMPU:
Situated at an altitude of 7500 ft, overlooking the valley of river Wangchu, Thimpu has been the capital of Bhutan since the late fifties. It has a population of just 15,000 people. Located 35 km from Paro airport, Thimpu is a relatively busy and lively by Bhutanese standards, though to an outsider, it may appear an uncrowded haven. Amazingly Thimpu is surely the only capital in the world where there are no traffic signals or lights, only three roundabouts, and the police-boxes are decorated with dragons. There is only one main street in Thimpu, Norzim Lam, which is lined with shops of all descriptions, mainly catering to tourists. It also has many significant buildings and places of interest especially the Monasteries in downtown Thimpu.
MEMORIAL CHORTEN:
The Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, H M Jigme Dorje Wangchuk who died in 1972. There is no mortal remains of the King inside the chorten and only a photograph draped in ceremonial scarves on the ground floor serves as a discreet reminder that the chorten was built top fulfill on of his wishes. The late King had in fact decided to put into tangible form the three traditional pillars of Buddhism; the Word, Body, and Mind of Buddha. He had the commentaries of the Buddha, the Tanjur, transcribed in letters of gold to represent the Body of Buddha and had 1,000 statues made to represent the word of Buddha, but he died before completing the Mind of Buddha in the form of chorten. His mother, the Royal Grandmother Ashi Phuntsok Chodron.
CHANGANGKHA MONASTERY:
Changangkha Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in the Thimpu valley, having been built in the 15th century by a descendant of Phajo Drugom Shigpo, the founder of the Drukpa School in Bhutan. The main statue here is an image of Avalokiteshvara. Changangkha, which lies on the top of the knoll that stands out above Thimpu and from where the view of the valley is superb. A very good walk with the magnificent view runs along the foot of the knoll and avoids the main thoroughfares. It goes from Changangkha to Memorial Chorten. This place has a special magical atmosphere with its prayer flags (Lungta) floating in the wind and the feeling of riding above the chaotic scenes of the city.
MOTITHANG MINI ZOO:
As the name suggests, this small zoo lies in the posh residential district of Thimpu. Of the few animals kept here, the very rare 'Takins' (Budorcas taxicolor), curious animals that look like a cross between a goat and a moose. They are larger (over one metre at the shoulders), and short-legged. They have a shaggy dark brown coat with a lighter back. They live in small herds, often above the tree-line, and in spite of their stocky appearance are remarkably agile on steep slopes.
DRUBTHOB (Nunnery) MONASTERY:
Located higher up on Ganden lam, on a spur overlooking north Thimpu, Drubthob Monastery, a small red building which dates back from the early 1980s. This nunnery, situated just above the dzong and surrounded by prayer flags, protects the dzong from fire. Its name comes from the incarnation of the saint Drubthob Thangton Gyelpo who lived there and who had the idea of building it round about the 15th century. It is inhabited at present by nuns.
PAINTING SCHOOL:
The painting school is situated just above the National library where traditional Tangka painting is taught. At this school, children learn the traditional techniques of drawing and painting. It is well worth a visit, not only to see the skill of the children, but also to observe the traditional teaching methods which are quite different from any practiced in the west.
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY:
Located in North Thimpu, the National Library holds precious Tibetan manuscripts and ancient xylographs, as well as many wooden printing blocks. Hundreds of western books and magazines can be consulted on subjects relating to Buddhism, the Himalayas and Bhutan.
WANGDI PHODRANG:
Wangdi Phodrang or simply 'Wangdi' is at an elevation of 4,430 ft, which is sometimes referred to as the gateway to Central and East Bhutan. It is 71 kilometres (44 miles) from Thimpu, a trip that takes about two and a half hours by car. The administrative capital is located at Wangdi Phodrang. The northern extremity of Wangdi district, which borders the Lhodrak county of Tibet, includes the head waters of the Mangde-chu; but the greater part of the district comprises the mid-reaches of the Puna Tsang-chu (Sankosh) valley. In east of the district the majestic Black Mountains form the watershed between the main rivers of the West and East Bhutan. One characteristic of Wangdi is its gusty wind which blows from the south in all seasons.
DOCHU LA PASS:
Three quarters of an hour after leaving Thimpu, Dochu La Pass lies at an amazing altitude of (3,100metres) 10,000 feet. The pass is 45 minutes drive to the south of Thimpu. The pass is marked by a large Bhutanese chorten and prayer flags. There is a long cabin where you can spend the night if you wan tot see the sunrise over the Himalayas. Dochu La, or rather the lookout point (1,640 feet) lower, offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. The peaks can be seen only between mid-October to mid-February, and it is extremely unusual to see them at any other time unless, by chance, torrential rains have cleared the atmosphere. But if seen, then it is only of the most spectacle views one can see in a life time.
Mt. GANGKAR PUNSUM:
Bhutan's highest mountain, Mount Gangkar Punsum (7,540 metres) 24,600 feet, is located in the Gasa District., making the northern reaches attractive to mountaineering and trekking groups. The mountain views, particularly those of Mount Gangkar Punsum are spectacular and you pass lakes, glacial rivers, moraines, beautiful forests with Himalayan birds and flower-filled alpine meadows. Uncertain weather conditions add to the difficulty, and as well as a challenge to this trek. The best season is August-September. Some intrepid trekkers prefer to extend the trek by combining it with the Jomolhari trek-altogether 365 kilometers, crossing eight high passes, sometimes known as the 'Snowman Trek'.
WANGDI PHODRANG DZONG:
Wangdi Phodrang is at an elevation of 4,430 ft. This fort is another place worth visiting and is situated on the top of a mountain spur that separates the Sankosh and Tangchu rivers. This large dzong, constructed in 1638, stands impressively on a rocky outcrop and commands an impressive view over both the north-south and east-west roads. The dzong, which is only open to foreign visitors during the annual 'Tsechu' ceremony, contains a monastic assembly hall containing large images of the Buddhas of the three times. The dzong is roofed with shingles and has an oddly rustic, yet disquieting charm about it. On the far side, at the southern end of which is the monks' assembly hall, graced by statues of the Past, Present and Future Buddhas.
PUNAKHA:
Punaka, at an altitude of 4,430 ft, was the old capital of Bhutan till the late fifties when it was shifted to Thimpu. The small size of the place is surprising considering the primordial role that Punaka has played in the history of Bhutan and the fact that is was the country's winter capital for nearly 300 years. Punakha also has many other smaller monasteries as well as the tombs of the later Shabdrungs. The monks of the central clergy, true to ancient customs, still migrate from Thimpu and come back to spend the six coldest months in Punakha. Exactly covering a spit of land at the confluence of the two rivers Pho-chu and Mo-chu, the dzong resembles a gigantic ship. Punakha town is close enough to Thimpu to make a long-trip feasible.
PUNAKHA DZONG:
The Punakha Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, The dzong served as a winter capital of Bhutan for 300 years, despite being damaged by fires and floods during the 17th and 18th century. Altogether, there are 21 temples and contain many religious and ritual items and also shelters the embalmed body of its maker in one of the dzong's temples, the Machen Lhakhang. Even now, it functions as the winter headquarters of the highest monks, and apart from its courtyard, it is open to foreign visitors only in summer when the monks reside at Thimpu. Since the dzong functions as the capital of the Punakha district, the first courtyard contains administrative buildings within the complex, which is the largest in Bhutan. The annual festival of Dromche, celebrated in Punakha Dzong has enormous significance for the residents of the lush Punaka valley.
SIMTOKHA DZONG:
The Simtokha Dzong was the first dzong built in the valley of the Wang River, and was built by the religious leader Ngawang Namwyel. The dzong lies six kilometers south of Thimpu where the roads from all the major districts cross. Its strategic position is evident since it controls all the approaches from and to Thimpu. This dzong was attacked countless times during the 15th century by the Tibetans, but each time the leader stood victorious. On the other hand, since slate is an abundant resource, slate flagstones are finely engraved with pictures of deities and religious characters. The most beautiful are found in Simtokha Dzong, and since each one carries an inscription identifying the figure represented, they are extremely valuable in the study of Bhutanese iconography. Today the dzong is a center for traditional studies with about 200 students, who would be trained as teachers of Dzongkha.
TAKTSANG MONASTERY:
The Taktsang (Tiger's Lair) is located on the face of a sheer 1,000 metres cliff above the Paro valley. Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world and it contains 13 holy places. It is an impressive sight but far from inaccessible. Taktsang is one of a number of awesome tiger lairs believed to be frequented by the great Buddhist master, Padmasambhava, who according to legend is said to have flown there from Northeast Bhutan on the back of a tigress to subdue negative demons, hostile to Buddhism. A recently restored stupa at the entrance to this cave contains his mortal remains. The sacred sites associated with Padmasambhava include some of the most dramatic and remote power places in the region. Subsequently many great spiritual masters of Tibet passed periods here in profound meditation. Among the temples, the most important and only surviving one is the smallest, containing the sacred cave of Padmasambhava.
PHUNTSHOLING:
Being the gateway to Bhutan, Phuntsholing is a true example of the frontier town where different ethnic groups mingle. Phuntsholing and the Indian border town of Jaigaon are both side by side and lie on the bank of the River Tosar. A huge gate made in typical Bhutanese style marks the entry point between India and Bhutan. On crossing the gate, one can immediately feel the difference: the noise, jostling and disorderliness is suddenly replaced by a certain degree of tranquility and an atmosphere of relaxation so typical of the Bhutanese way of life. There are just a few sights to see in Phuntsholing, like the Zangdopelri Monastery built in 1982, its very name representing the heaven of Guru Rinpoche. On the ground level there are statues of the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche arranged as a tree of life, and the paintings of the life of Lord Buddha.
TONGSA DZONG:
This fort is perhaps the most majestic in the country. The landscape around Tongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. Above the dzong a two-wing watchtower, ('Ta Dzong'), from which all approaches could monitored with ease, stands on the side of the mountain east of the dzong strengthened its defense. At an altitude of 7,200 ft, the dzong is a masterpiece of architecture, a maze of courtyards, passageways and corridors containing, in addition, 23 temples. It is the largest and most impressive dzong in Bhutan.
BUMTHANG:
Bumthang (Bumtang) is the general name given to a complex of four sacred valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura – with altitudes varying from 8,530 ft to 13,125 ft. These valleys are often regarded as the religious or cultural heart of Bhutan. Because the valleys are wide and open, and the mountains have gentle slopes, there is a feeling of spaciousness that is unequalled in any other part of Bhutan. Bumthang is a joy for trekkers and hikers as the valleys are fairly flat, the slopes gentle and there are many little hamlets where you can get some idea of what life in a rural area is like. It is also a fantastic area for day-walks.
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