BHUTAN
Druk Yul: Land of the Thunder Dragon
A mesmerising kingdom embraced by the Himalayas, waiting to be explored. For those who don’t know, Bhutan is a South Asian country located at the eastern end of the Himalayas that shares its border with China in the north and India in the south, east and west. Having a small population of 780,000, the country can be easily described as an adventure-filled mysterious land. Those who get to visit this place should consider themselves lucky as it wasn’t even a possibility up until 1974. And even now only a few Visas are issued every year.
The souvenirs alone are a motivation to plan a visit to Bhutan. The Dzi stones, brass statues of Buddha, Vajra bells, Dorje bells (used for religious rituals), Bhutanese violins, Tibetan trumpets and prayer wheels are somepopular choices among the tourists. One can easily pick theseup from the local markets. And if you are lucky, you mighteven spot the king during your visit. Those who have been to Bhutan describe it as an enchanting place with anatural beauty that is breath-taking.
Green Destination
The people of Bhutan have always paid special attention towardsthe protection ofits pristine landscape. They are celebrated all over the world for their commitment towards sustainability and responsible tourism which has been instrumental in making Bhutan carbon negative. So, you can enjoy the fresh pollution free mountain airthat will transport you to serenity. | Happiness and Positivity
The Bhutanese values are starkly different from rest of the worldwith a unique approach to happiness. The pursuit of happiness is not intangible here and is measured in terms of Gross National Happiness. They are a close-knit community. Compassion and tolerance are the pillars of their society. Their focus is always on the well-being of people. Facilities of education and healthcare are free for everyone.
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Culture and festivals
The culture of Bhutan is deeply rooted in its Buddhist heritage. It is reflected in their clothing, languages and dance forms. Men dress in Gho and women in Kira, the traditional attire. Tshechu (Festivals) are an integral part of Bhutanese life. These festivals are a colourful affair and include masked dancing, dance dramas and vibrant traditional music.Paro Tshechu is one of the most popular events, held over a period of four days, it ends with the unveiling of the sacred Thanka (silk painting). Catching a glimpse ofthe sacred Thanka is considered a blessing. | Religion
Vajrayana Buddhism is the State religion, practiced by two-thirds of the population, while the remaining are mostly Hindus. Thus, the Monasteries best encapsulate the history and heritage of the land. The best known amongst them are the Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest Monastery and Cheri Monastery. The latter is Bhutan’s first Monastery and requires you to cross the bridge over Wang chhu river to reach the eminent site for meditation. |
Architecture
Due to itslong-standing history with Tibet, most of the buildings in Bhutan follow the Tibetan Buddhist style of architecture. What makes the structures unique is that iron bars or nails have not been used for construction. Dzongs are an integral part of the architecture. Mostly made from stones and mud with a golden square structure on the top, the Dzongs were used for both administrative and religious purposes. To ensure consistency with the traditional styles the architects design buildings that are in line with the traditional architecture.
| Adventure
Whitewater rafting, rock climbing, kayaking, trekking and paragliding are some of the many thrilling activities that you can engage in during your getaway to Bhutan. Mountain biking over the rugged terrain is a popular choice among the adrenaline seeking visitors. An unusual entry to this list is archery, the national sport of the country is a part of most local festivals and fairs, something which the travellers should try. The Snowman Hike to the Bhutan-Tibet border involves crossing 13 mountain passes to witness the spectacular scenery. |
Food
Cheese and chilli peppers are the two prominent ingredients that you will find in Bhutanese cuisine. Ema Datshi is the most popular traditional dish in which perpendicularly sliced chilli is cooked in Yak cheese. Beef, curries, rice and stews are the staples that one must try.
| Biodiversity
Bhutan is home to the Asian elephant, red panda, Himalayan black bear, sloth bear, Bengal tigerand the Himalayan musk deer. These are protected through the various wildlife sanctuaries, National Parks and Nature reserves that Bhutan has. Wildlife safaris offer anopportunity to catch a glimpse of the exceptional wildlife.
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The first-time travellers should know that Bhutanese tourist visa works differently, you need to buy the visa for every night that you spend. Tourists should also avoid engaging in inappropriate behaviour such as taking pictures or making videos inside monasteries without permission. Bhutan is also the first country in the world to have banned the sale of tobacco, therefore even though the tourists can bring cigarettes, they can smoke in designated places only. In addition to that since Tuesday is observed as a ‘dry day’, one should be respectful and avoid alcohol on that day.