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most popular destination today beckons |
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On the roof
of the world, nestled on the lap of the Eastern
Himalayas, is Bhutan, or the Kingdom of the Thunder
Dragon. Here, centuries old ways of life, culture
and tradition blend harmoniously with modern times
to create a fairytale realm like no other.
Bhutan has never been colonial and the Bhutanese
are fiercely protective about their independence.
After centuries of self-imposed isolation, Bhutan
has emerged strongly from the shrouds of myth
as a nation exemplified for choosing all the right
paths. Bhutan is perhaps the only nation in the
world where billboards and tobacco are banned.
Their absence further heightens the nations intact
forest cover of more than 70 percent of its entire
land and its prestigious standing among the 10
global hotspots for environmental conservation.
Bhutan is also the Champions of The Earth Award
2005 from the United Nations Environment Programme.
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A
Mythical History of saints and legends
In the 8th century, Guru Rimpoche
(Padmasambha) Arrived in Bhutan flying upon the
back of a tigress. The legacy of this spectacular
visitation has been enshrined in the equally remarkable
temple of Taktsang, or the Tiger Nest, built on
a sheer rock face overlooking the valley of Paro.
Recorded history began in 1616 with the coming
of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the great leader
of the Drukpa school of Mahayana Buddhism. He
established a temporal and spiritual system of
governance and introduced the first code of laws. |
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The
king Champions democracy
The king Jgme Singye Wangchuk, fourth in the lineage
of the monarchy, is himself steering the kingdom
towards democracy. Presently, the nation is run
by a council of elected ministers and a draft
constitution has been distributed to the people
for endorsement.
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The
Monarchy is Born
Three centuries later, Gongsar
Ugyen Wangchuk, founded the monarchy. In 1907,
a historic Assembly of the clergy, the official
administration, and the people unanimously elected
Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary
king of Bhutan. He was succeeded by his son Jigme
Wangchuck.
The third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck,
known as “Father of the Modern Bhutan”,
initiated planned development and led the country
into the global arena with memberships in the
United Nation and other international organizations.
In 1972, King Jigme Wangchuk
became the youngest Monarch in the world. In the
short span of four decades of his rule, Bhutan
has leapt from the medieval to one of the fastest
developing nations of the new millennium.
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Visit
Bhutan - 2008, 101 Years of Monarchy
In 2008, Bhutan will celebrate
a 101 yrs. of Monarchy. Every Bhutanese will wholeheartedly
embrace the event as a gesture of their gratitude
to a leadership that has shaped and molded Bhutan
to its present glory. Special Tourist packages
and activities running through the year offer
a unique opportunity to see a nation in jubilation.
The centenary offers guests a once-in-a- life
time opportunity to witness and partake in the
nation-wide year-long celebrations. |
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An unrivalled
culture, tradition and art
Bhutanese language and literature,
the arts and crafts, ceremonies and events, and
social and cultural values draw their essence
from religious teachings; Government policy, royal
patronage and the faith of the people have ensured
their preservation and promotion.
Architecture is also a significant
feature of the Bhutanese identity. The combination
of engineering skill and aesthetic beauty is unparalleled
in the massive monastic fortresses to houses and
bridges.
Music and dance, performed by
the clergy and the lay population, play an important
role in national, village, or domestic functions
and festivals. Bhutan is equally renowned
for its handicrafts and its textile tradition
has become internationally recognized. |
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Festivals
of Bhutan
At various times of the year, Bhutanese in towns
and villages congregate to witness masked dance
festivals known as Tshechus. These colorful events
draw thousands of locals, some of whom have to
walk for days. While the underlying purpose is
spiritual, the dances are more often like plays
where good triumphs over evil or depicts significant
historical events, especially about the life of
Bhutan’s patron saint, Padmasambhava (also
known as Guru Rimpoche). There is inevitably a
great deal of socializing; it is an opportunity
for people to relax and forget daily routines,
to dress in their finest clothes and jewelry but,
more importantly, it is an occasion for prayer
and blessings.
Tshechus mainly comprise mask dance in addition
to some folk dance entertainment. Festivals are
not pageants or entertainment events and definitely
not held as tourist attractions. They are genuine
manifestations of ancient religious traditions,
which outsiders are given privilege to witness.
Please contact us for festivals date and details.
More than 80 percent of the Bhutanese
live on subsistence farming, scattered in sparsely
populated hamlets across the nation. The Bhutanese
are fiercely independent, but friendly and hospitable.
They are deeply religious and their everyday lives
are influenced by the tents of Buddhism. They
enjoy their sports, unique variations of archery,
Khuru (darts) and Dego (quoits) and never miss
an opportunity to sing and dance. |
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Gross
National Happiness
Underlying all policies of the king through the
years of unprecedented development is the principle
of Gross National Happiness (GNH). The approach
of people’s happiness over gross national
product has generated intense study, debate and
interest worldwide. In Bhutan, it has always been
the interest of the people first for the benevolent
monarch, and GNH the ultimate aspiration. |
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THE
BEST THAT NATURE HAS TO OFFER
Bhutan’s terrain ranges from the sub-tropical
foothills in the south, through the temperate
zones, to dizzying heights over 7,300 meters (24,000
feet). Each zone boasts the highest density of
rare herbs, flowers, birds and animals.
A kaleidoscopic blanket of Rhododendrons
on alpine slopes and the national flower, blue
poppy, are visual delights across the country.
The Blue sheep, the elusive snow Leopard, the
Himalayan Black Bear, the Golden Langur and the
national animal, the Takin, roam abundantly. Some
valleys are also the winter roosting grounds of
the endangered Black Necked Crane. |
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