Bhutan

My friend suddenly asked me if I was interested to go to Bhutan with her. I was amazed. I had never thought of going. But given a chance… why not?? Within a month the tickets were booked & we left for Bhutan !

Known as the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’. It is the only carbon negative country in the world. It measures success by ‘Gross National Happiness’. It has no traffic lights & it was the last country to introduce television.

Monarchy & a parliamentary form of government exist. King is the head of the state & the prime minister is the head of government.

Bhutan maintains strong economic, strategic & military relations with India. By long standing agreement, Indian & Bhutanese citizens can travel to each other’s countries without visa or passport but must have their national identity cards. Bhutanese citizens can work in India without legal restrictions.

At the immigration office, we met our guide, Soenam, who was with us till the end of our travels. From Phuentsholing we started our journey to the capital city, Thimphu. The roads are good. Curving & displaying the greenery. No noise & no traffic jams here.

The Memorial Chorten is a stupa in Thimphu, located near Desuung Headquarters & above Royal Bhutan police Headquarters. It is a prominent landmark in the city with it’s golden spires & bells.

Tashichho Dzong is a Buddhist monastery & fortress on the northern edge of the city. It is on the western bank of the Wang Chu. There are thirty temples, chapels & shrines within Tashicho -Dzong.

Punakha has much to offer. Punakha Dzong, Suspension bridge are breathtaking. Mo Chhu, is a major river in Bhutan . ‘Chhu’ means ‘river’ or ‘water’ in Dzongkha, the official national language of Bhutan.

Chimi Lhakhang, a Buddhist monastery in Bhutan. It is renowned as the ‘Fertility Temple’ because of it’s association with Drukpa Kunley, a maverick saint & it’s unique fertility blessing rituals, attracting childless couples seeking blessings.

Having been to ‘Simply Bhutan ‘in Thimphu we decided to give it a miss. In our group of 18, all are blessed with one or two children & few of us are grandparents. So we were more interested in having the feel of the country.

Then to Paro. We saw the airport from our bus. Tiny but tidy. The architecture in every city is unique and common. The windows have a decided dimension & design. The landscape doesn’t deviate.

Rinpung Dzong is a large dzong. The tour was informative. Above the Dzong is a seven storied watch tower fortress built in 1649. In 1968 this was established as a the home of the National Museum of Bhutan. The weapons, drapery, coins form the main part.

Paro Taktsang is a Buddhist temple , that houses & is run by monks. It is also called the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It is located in the mountains of Bhutan at 10, 000 feet above sea level.

As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche meditated in a cave here for three years, three months, three weeks, three days & three hours in the *th century. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew to this location on the back of a tigress, thus earning the name Tiger’s Nest!

A few believe that a tiger visits it once every year. The trek a bit tough can be completed by every person. It is a fitness certificate for an year!! That feeling of ‘I made it’ is thrilling.

The best time to visit Bhutan for a pleasant & comfortable trip is during spring… March- May or autumn September to November. Dry weather , clear skies & ideal conditions for trekking & exploring.

The bracing climate, cheerful people & the calm gets to you. The clean waters gave a chance to rafting. The enthusiasm of the boys was infective. More than the life jackets or the helmets it was his non stop chatter that kept us entertained. Conversing in Hindi & English with his own pronunciation was funny & stress busting.

We don’t even know their names & there is hardly any possibility that I meet them but I shall remember them forever!

The spur of the moment decision made me marvel at the joys in life that are fun, free & fateful!