Beautiful Bhutan

Bhutan is a beautiful kingdom in Himalayas bounded in south by India and north by China.  This is the only nation in the world which measures its development in terms of gross national happiness.  

This nation with sixty percent of land under forest cover is the only nation in the world that is carbon negative.  Without giving up their ancient culture and traditions this Buddhist nation is developing as model nation in the world with 100% organic farming.  Agriculture is the main livelihood with farming and animal husbandry.  Tourism and sale of hydroelectric power to India adds to their economy.

Chukka Power project

Bhutanese, though they have their own currency, accept Indian currency as equivalent.  Indians need entry permit to enter this nation which is given on entry.  Visa is not required for Indians.  Usually for tourists permission is given for one week only, to enter Phuntsholing, Thimphu, Punakha and Paro.  To visit other places special permission is required.

King and Queen of Bhutan

Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu.  This is huge and located on a hill top and seen from anywhere in Thimphu

Thimphu, capital of Bhutan

In April this year I had opportunity to visit this nation on photo tour organised by WeChitra.  The journey in this kingdom is scenic.  People are friendly.  They can speak Hindi and educated can speak English well.  Though it is a developing country it is clean and green.  Here are few pictures of Bhutan. 

Monastery in Chubachu, Thimphu

Memorial Chortens, Dochula pas

Confluence of Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers, Punakha 

Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong in the night

Suspension bridge, Punakha

Rinpung Dzong, Paro

Rinpung Dzong houses district's Monastery and admn. offices

Prayer flags seen on the way to Taktsang.  Prayer flags are seen at many places apart from monasteries even on the road side across a critical junctions and along the bridges on the rivers

Scenery on the way to Taktsang, Paro

Huge prayer wheel on the way to Taktsang, Tiger's nest Monastery, Paro

Small chortens placed in the crevices of mountains.  Gods are invoked and placed to bless people.  These are seen not only at monastaries but in the crevices of mountains along side the roads at critical junctions.  They are mostly light yellow or white or colorful as seen here.

Tiger's Nest Monastery or Taktsang Phalphug Monastery, Paro.
This monastery at the cliff of the mountain is iconic of Bhutan and its culture and tradition.

Small prayer wheels on the way to Taktsang, at the base.  Journey to Taktsang is 4 km trekking.  Depending on one's capability it may take 2-6 hrs.  The path is slippery while coming down and more so when it rains

Offerings to deities at a monastery in Chubachu, Thimphu

Series of prayer wheels seen at monasteries.  This is taken in Thimphu

Clouds seen on the way covering the trees in the forest

A village seen on the way

A man in traditional dress holding 'kamandal' with water.  That is sacred water, 'theerth'

A beautiful house on hill top

Monks at Punakha Dzong, Punakha

Man and woman dressed in national dress. Men wear 'gho' with a belt at waist -kera. Women's dress is called 'kira' clipped at the shoulder with identical brooches called 'koma' and tied at waist with kera.  Long sleeved blouse wonju worn underneath kira

School boys in traditional dress of men

School/college girls in traditional dress of women

Entry and exit gate for vehicles into Bhutan.  This is from Jaigoan, the last village in Kolkota, India

Entry and exit gate. View from Phuntsholing, Bhutan