Bhutan, the hidden Himalaya paradise
In this set I post my favorites photos from three visits in Bhutan 1996, 1998 and 2000. On all my trips in Bhutan I value again the kindness of the beautiful people, their honest smiling, the cooperativeness, and the nice educated kids who have much fun when I captured them without asking me for money like in other countries people do it every time. The mentality isn't spoilt from this bad side ef…
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The enrolled second biggest Thanka (Thongdrol)
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On the last day of Tsechu, rise before dawn to attend the display of the great Thongdrol. An intricately appliqued and embroidered silk scroll measuring 12,20 x 18,30 meter. This work of art pictures the eight manisfestations of Guru Rinpoche, the Second Buddha and the founder of Tantric Buddhism. Thangkas such as this one are regarded as great treasures and are displayed only once a year for a few hours. It is believed that the mere sight of the Thongdrol brings salvation to the beholder. The festival area fills with people from all over the country well before dawn. People offer butter lamps and receive Thongdrol blessings. Monks dance cheerfully beating on double-sided drums with curved drumsticks. The Thongdrol is then let down to the ground and ceremoniously rolled and folded away before the first rays of the sun can reach it. Following the display of the Thongdrol, the Tsechu continues throughout the day with the performances of several additional dances.
Local people waiting to touch the Thanka
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A symbolic touch of the Thanka is an holy celebration in Lama Buddhism.
The civic male visitors wear a white/beige scarf with fringes around the left shoulder, that it covers the heart.
A red scarf without fringes is worn by a Dasho. This title means 'the best'. It is not hereditary but is conferred by the King on people of his choice as a reward for service.
A dark blue scarf shows that a person is a Representative of the People, elected by the Royal Advisory Council. An orange scarf without fringes is worn by Vice-Ministers; Ministers wear the same scarf, but with part of it folded on the left shoulder.
The temple and monastery servants wear a plait scarf.
Only the King and the highest dignitary wear a golden or saffron/yellow scarf, as does the Je Khenpo, the Head Abbot of the country.
Welcome dance of the Lamas
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The Lamas (priests) enter the yard playing the Nga (drum), the Kangling (trumpet), the Gyaling (oboe) and the Rolmo (cymbals).
Sha-Zami, The dance of the deers
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A scene out of the performance during the Paro festival called Paro Tsechu.
The red deers symbolize the savers of the humanity.
Shhanag, The dance of the black hats
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Pass on the way to Ha
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Most travel agencies refuse to bring foreigners to Ha, but I can deeply recommend to do this tour (get a license before!!!).
Fantastic panorama views seen on the way from Paro to Ha. Unfortunately after some more kilometers we had to return due an old snow and ice avalanche blocked the road.
Drukgyel Dzong
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Drukgyel Dzong was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of the Paro valley in Paro District of Bhutan. The Dzong was probably built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649 at the behest of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. In the early 1950s Drukgyel Dzong was almost completely destroyed by fire.
Drukgyel, the starting point of our trek
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Archery in Drukgyel
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Archery is the national sport of Bhutan, and every village has it own archery range. High spirited competitions, usually accompanied by a banquet, are a part of all festive occasions. Using bamboo bows (although modern compound bows are finding their way into the kingdom) teams of archers shoot at targets only 30 centimetres in diameter from a distance of 145 metres. Each team has a noisy crowd of supporters who, as well as encouraging their own side and try to out off the opposition.
The last Chorten
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We nearly come to the end of our nice trekking tour back after the village Shama Zampa. We pass the last Chorten before reaching Drukgyel Dzong which was our starting point too.
Farmhouse at the Paro riverside
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Traditional Bhutanese farm house
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Bhutanese Farm Houses are very colorful, decorative and traditionally built without the use of single nail. All houses follow the same architectural pattern. A visit to Farm House is very interesting and offers a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer.
A checkpoint on the way to the Chomolhari
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On this trekking route to the Chomolhari sanctuary we'd to pass two more checkpoints to show our trekking permit.
Across the Paro river
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Jangothang the Chomolhary sanctuary
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Meeting a caravan
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There are regular caravans on the way to deliver the herders farm houses with necessary foods, clothes and other equipment
Herds woman and her baby
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The young Paro river and the Chomolhari
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