Bhutan is a beautiful and peaceful country. The surrounding mountains
coupled with the wide array of vegetation and wildlife is a beautiful
sight that tells you just how magical it is!
Bhutan is a very unique vacation travel destination. It is
not commercialized like most vacation destinations you visit. Your
unique experience will start right when you board Druk Air to fly into
the kingdom and the memories of this adventure will last a lifetime.
1) Taktsang Monastery :
Taktsang is located on a high cliff towards the north of Paro town.
It was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup, a cave
where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three months in
the 8th century. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava)
flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress
and subdued a demon. He then performed meditation in one of the caves
here and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) and blessed
the place. Subsequently, the place came to be known as the “Tiger’s
Nest”. Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan.
Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen caves in which he
meditated.
Perched on the high cliffs Taktsang is referred to as the Tiger’s
Nest, it has always inspired and awestruck many a visitor. “Trip to
Bhutan is never complete without climbing to Taktsang”, says one
tourist. Indeed it’s true as the journey turns into a pilgrimage and
fills you up in spiritual bliss. For those not choosing the spiritual
side it is the dramatic and the artistically structured monument that
becomes a hiker’s delight. Let us take you to this magnificently set
Buddhist relic hanging from a cliff. Feel the exhilaration of the uphill
climb as you ascend more than two thousand feet from the valley floor.
2) Drukgyel Dzong :
Let the ruins of this dzong tell you a tale of how
Bhutanese warriors defended Bhutan from the invaders from the north in
the 17th century. This dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in
1646, to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Though
largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the outer walls and the central tower
remain an imposing sight. On a clear day, treat yourself with a
splendid view of Mt. Jumolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel Dzong.
3)
Tashichho Dzong
It was first constructed in 1216 A.D. by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa where Dechen Phodrang now stands above Thimphu.
In 1641 Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal acquired it but finding it too small, he built another one, known as the lower Dzong. The original dzong was destroyed by fire in 1771 and everything was moved to the lower dzong. The new building was later expanded several times over the years. It was damaged during an earthquake in 1897 and rebuilt in 1902. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck had it completely renovated and enlarged over five years after he moved the capital to Thimpu in 1952 in traditional style using neither nails nor written plans. Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Other government departments are housed in buildings nearby.
The dzong is located close to Thimphu town, next to the banks of the Wangchhu River. It is an impressively large structure, surrounded by well-kept lawns and beautiful gardens.
Tashichho Dzong
It was first constructed in 1216 A.D. by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa where Dechen Phodrang now stands above Thimphu.
In 1641 Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal acquired it but finding it too small,
he built another one, known as the lower Dzong. The original dzong was
destroyed by fire in 1771 and everything was moved to the lower dzong.
The new building was later expanded several times over the years. It was
damaged during an earthquake in 1897 and rebuilt in 1902. King Jigme
Dorji Wangchuck had it completely renovated and enlarged over five years
after he moved the capital to Thimpu in 1952 in traditional style using
neither nails nor written plans.
Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and
presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the
secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Other
government departments are housed in buildings nearby.
The dzong is located close to Thimphu town, next to the banks of the
Wangchhu River. It is an impressively large structure, surrounded by
well-kept lawns and beautiful gardens.
- See more at: http://www.tourism.gov.bt/western-bhutan/tashichho-dzong#sthash.uN6CBoZG.dpuf
4) Punakha Dzong
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of Bhutanese state, built Punakha Dzong in 1637. It was originally named Puntang Dechen Phodrang Dzong, which means the Palace of Great Bliss.
Punakha Dong was built on the 8th day and 8th month of the Fire ox year in 1673. The Tibetan attacked the dzong in 1639 and 1644. The defenders successfully repelled the attacks. To commemorate the victory, a New Year festival was introduced and Yu Gyal Gonkhang Chen Mo, "the great shrine of the protective and victorious lord" was built.
The first King of modern Bhutan was crowned in Punakha Dzong. Punakha Dzong remained the centre of government until it was relocated to Thimphu. In 2011, the wedding of the 5th King was held in this fortress.
5). Rinpung Dzong
One of the finest example of a Bhutanese monastery, this Dzong hosts the
Paro Tsechu i.e festival of masks. Did you know that Bertolucci's 1995
film Little Buddha was filmed here? The scenic beauty surrounding the
monastery is worth capturing. Here's a very small history lesson for
you " Paro Dzong's full name is Ringpung Dzong, which means "the
fortress of the heap of jewels".
In the 15th century, two brothers named
Gyelchok and Gyelzom lived in the Paro valley. Gyelzom established
himself at Gantakha Monastery; his brother Gyelchok travelled to Tibet
to study theology. When Gyelchok came back to Paro, he was not respected
in the community due to the many years he had spent studying without
any money. His brother Gyelzom, renounced his existence, in his eyes a
"beggar" could not be part of the family. Gyelchok moved to Humrelkha, a
place which took its name from the guardian deity of Paro, Humrel
Goemba. He then built a small structure that would later become the Paro
Dzong. Gyelchok's descendants, who controlled a large portion of the
valley, are well known through Bhutanese history as the "Lords of
Humrel". In 1645, the "Lords of Humrel" relinquished their small fort to
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, thus recognizing his religious and political
prowess. Immediately, the Zhabdrung began construction of a much more
superior fortress and in 1646, the Dzong was consecrated."
6).
National Museum of Bhutan
National Museum of Bhutan is a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan. Established in 1968, in the renovated ancient Ta-dzong building, above Rinpung Dzong under the command of His Majesty, the King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third hereditary Monarch of Bhutan. The necessary infrastructure was created to house some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings.
Suitable galleries were constructed to house the extensive collections.
Works of art were elegantly displayed on scientific lines.
Today the National Museum has in its possession over 3,000 works of
Bhutanese art, covering more than 1,500 years of Bhutan's cultural
heritage. Its rich holdings of various creative traditions and
disciplines, represent a remarkable blend of the past with the present
and is a major attraction for local and foreign visitors.
7). Gangtey Monastery
Gangtey Monastery is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of
Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition located in the
Wangdue Phodrang District, Pobjika Valley. The Monastery is one of the
main seats of the religious tradition based on Pema Lingpa's revelations
and one of the two main centres of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in
the country.
8). Jomolhari - One of the highest Bhutanese mountain peak
Jomolhari
or Chomolhari: Qomo Lhari, sometimes known as "the bride of
Kangchenjunga”, is a mountain in the Himalayas, straddling the border
between Yadong County of Tibet, China and the Thimphu district of
Bhutan. The north face rises over 2,700 metres (8,900 ft) above the
barren plains. The mountain is the source of the Paro Chu (Paro river)
which flows from the south side and the Amo Chu which flows from the
north side.
9). Kyichu
Lhakhang
Kichu Lhakhang was originally a small structure at the time of its
establishment. Over the years the temple was visited and blessed by many
famous Buddhist saints including Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century, Lam
Kha Nga and Phajo Dugom Zhigpo to list few. Many of them also expanded
the temple in size and grandeur over the period of time. One such
personality was Je Sherub Gyeltshen who lived in the 18th century. He
extended the Jowo Lhakhang and added many new statues. The latest
extension was carried out in 1965 under the initiative of the Royal
Queen Mother Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck. She added another new
structure to the temple known as Guru Lhakhang.
As one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, the temple has many relics. The
inner hall of the main Jowo Lhakhang conceals the valley’s greatest
treasure, an original 7th century statue of Jowo Sakyamuni, believed to
be cast at the same time as its famous counterpart in Lhasa. Guru
Lhakhang temple contains 5m high statues of Guru Rinpoche and Red
Kurukulla. Also in here is the chorten containing the ashes of Dilgo
Khyentse Rinpoche, a revered teacher who was cremated nearby in 1992.
10) . Dechen Phodrang
At the end of the Gaden Lam is the Dechen Phodrang, the site of
Thimphu's original Trashi Chhoe Dzong. Since 1971 it has housed the
state monastic school, and a long procession of monks often travels
between here and the dzong. A team of 15 teachers provides an eight-year
course to more than 450 students. The 12th-century paintings in the
goemba's Guru Lhakhang are being restored by a United Nations
Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO) project. The
upper floor features a large figure of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal as well
as the goenkhang (chapel devoted to protective and terrifying deities).
The central figure in the downstairs chapel is the Buddha Sakyamuni.
Tashichho Dzong
It was first constructed in 1216 A.D. by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa where Dechen Phodrang now stands above Thimphu.
In 1641 Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal acquired it but finding it too small,
he built another one, known as the lower Dzong. The original dzong was
destroyed by fire in 1771 and everything was moved to the lower dzong.
The new building was later expanded several times over the years. It was
damaged during an earthquake in 1897 and rebuilt in 1902. King Jigme
Dorji Wangchuck had it completely renovated and enlarged over five years
after he moved the capital to Thimpu in 1952 in traditional style using
neither nails nor written plans.
Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952 and
presently houses the throne room and offices of the king, the
secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance. Other
government departments are housed in buildings nearby.
The dzong is located close to Thimphu town, next to the banks of the
Wangchhu River. It is an impressively large structure, surrounded by
well-kept lawns and beautiful gardens.
- See more at: http://www.tourism.gov.bt/western-bhutan/tashichho-dzong#sthash.uN6CBoZG.dpuf
