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Bhutan
is a country nestled in the eastern Himalayas. Over the centuries
the country has been visited by great saints, mystics, scholars
and pilgrims who not only came for their personal elucidation,
but blessed the land and its people with an invaluable spiritual
and cultural legacy that has shaped every facet of Bhutanese
lives. Visitors and guests to the country will be surprised
that the culture and the traditional lifestyle is still richly
intact and at the degree to which it permeates all strands of
modern day secular life. From the traditional woven garments
to the prayer flags on high mountain slopes, from the built
environment to the natural environment, from the religious mask
dances to the folk dances, this cultural heritage is proudly
evident and offers a unique cultural setting. |
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History
: Bhutan's early history is obscure but, since at least
12th century, it has been colonized by a succession of rival Buddhist
religious orders from Tibet with the currently ruling Drukpa sect
becoming established in the 17th century following a dispute in
Lhasa with the Gelugpa sect headed by the Dalai Lama. The first
hereditary king of Bhutan was installed on 17 December 1907. An
Anglo-Bhutanese Treaty, signed in 1910, placed Bhutan's foreign
relations under the supervision of the Government of British India.
After India became independent the treaty was replaced in August
1949 by the Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Friendship. In addition, the Government
of India has undertaken not to interfere in the internal administration
of Bhutan.
Geography :
- Bhutan
is bordered by Tibet in the north and the Indian states Assam
and West Bengal in the east, west and south.
- Area
of 47,000 Sq. Km.
- Altitude
varying from 180 mt to 7,550 mt above sea level.
Access
:
To enter Bhutan by road one has to reach the Indian border town
of Jaigaon, which is about 150 kms from Siliguri. Just a minute
walk from the Jaigaon bus stand is the gate through which you enter
Phunsoling and reach the Bhutan State Bus Stand another minute away.
By air, there are direct flights from Kolkata and Delhi to Paro
in Bhutan. Indian Nationals can enter Bhutan for a limited period.
For foreigners the rules are stricter.
Population : 7,50,000
Religion : The tantric form
of Mahayana, Buddhism
Languages : Dzongkha(official),
Nepalese and English
Tour : Bhutan is a land of
rolling wilderness but here and there, there are patches of development.
. Dotting the length and breadth of Bhutan are imposing forts called
"Dzongs" which were built by the early rulers to protect themselves
from the invaders from Tibet. There is such a profusion of them
that Bhutan could easily be called the "Land
of Dzongs". Built
usually on the top of a hill feature, Dzongs have high sparkling
white walls made of stones and bright red or yellow roofs. Dzongs
generally house small monastery. Although it is this wilderness
that one should enjoy, the few places of tourist interest are mentioned
below
Phunsoling:
Phunsoling and the Indian border town of Jaigaon are both essentially
one town and lie on the bank of the River Tosar. A huge gate made
in typical Bhutanese style marks the entry point of Bhutan from
India. On crossing the gate from Jaigaon to Phunsoling, 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 Bhutanese way of life.
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Thimphu:
It is situated at an altitude of 7,500 ft, overlooking the valley
of river Wangchu, Thimphu has been the capital of Bhutan since
late fifties. It has a population of just 20,000 people. The
Main Market is just a few minutes walk from the Bus Stand across
the Thimphu River. Adorning Thimphu, a short distance from the
Main Market, is a monument in the shape of a Stupa built in
memory of the late king Jigme Dorjee Wangchuk. His mortal remains
are not interred here. This Memorial Chorten was built in 1974.
It is sparkling white crowned with a golden spire. About 5 kms
away from the market, uphill is the Mini-zoo in the
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Mothigang area,
with unique animals of Bhutan. A further uphill climb of about
half a kilometer reaches one to the View Point from where a
spectacular view of Thimphu town can be glanced.
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Phajoding Monastery:
It is another place worth trekking to and is about a four hours
walk from the Motithang area. Situated at 12,000 ft, the monastery
can be seen from Thimphu high up in thelap of mountains. A further
walk of about three hours from the Phajoding Monastery takes one
to the Jimilangtsho lakes.
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Punakha
:
Punakha, at an altitude of 5,000 ft, was the old capital of
Bhutan and remained so till the late fifties when it was shifted
to Thimphu. In 1637 Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal built the Punakha
Dzong which besides containing many religious and ritual items,
shelters the embalmed body of its maker. |
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Paro
Valley :
This valley is one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan with
the majestic Mount Chomolhari towering over it. Cosily tucked
in this valley is the town of Paro, at an altitude of 7,500
ft, which has an airport. Paro town strangely looks like a Wid
West town as in the old Western movies and you almost expect
to see a cowboy ride past. A few kilometers away from Paro town
on a hill overlooking the valley is the National Museum. The
museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays between 9 a.m. and 4
p.m. It contains thankas, handicrafts, stuffed animals, masks,
costumes and armours. A visit to the museum gives you a fair
idea of the culture and the traditions of Bhutan. Another place
worth visiting in Paro valley is the Taksang Monastery or the
Tiger's Nest, at an altitude of about 10,000 ft so called because
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it
is said that Guru
Padmasambva landed here on the back of the tiger when he came
to Bhutan and meditated here. About 20 kms away from Paro in
the valley, is another impressive fort the Drugyel Dzong which
is said to be the oldest in the country and is nestled on top
of a spur. |
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Chhuka:
Chhuka, which is situated midway from Phunsoling to Thimphu, has
now become synonymous with the Hydro Electric Power Station which
generates about 400 Megawatt of electricity to serve for Bhutan
and some parts of West Bengal in India. It is a joint venture hydro
power plant between India and Bhutan, the two neghbouring and friendly
countries.
Tongsa Dzong :
This fort is perhaps the most majestic one of its nature in
the country. |
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