Attraction

Thimphu

View Details

Newsletter

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Refer to Friend

Your Name:

Friend's Email:

Attractions of bhutan

Cultural and Tradition A Living past
Bhutan is a unique blend of the old and the new. Here is the country that is slowly opening up to the modern world in a fine balance with its ancient traditions. Bhutan is often described as a unique, deeply spiritual and mystical kingdom. Religion and faith play a fundamental role and permeates in all aspects of lives of the people.

Architecture
The architecture of Bhutan is one of the kingdom’s most visible distinctive features. From the ordinary dwelling houses to the most impressive public structures such as Dzongs, all architectural structures are strictly based on the unique architectural designs of Bhutan, thereby preserving them in their finest forms. The massive Dzongs (fortresses), the ancient monasteries and the humble farm house stand out as an important part of the country’s landscape.

Textiles & Handicrafts
The contemplation and visualization of colours and patterns in arts and crafts is considered an integral part of worship and spiritual practice. Thus all forms celebrate colour and patterns in its most vivid and expressive form.
Bhutanese textiles are renowned for their distinctive patterns inspired by nature and the textiles are now prized among collectors as a rare art form that is being practiced only among a very small community in the remote kingdom of Bhutan. Because of its importance, weaving receives Royal patronage and in order to help keep the tradition alive, competitions are held and prizes awarded. A textile museum has recently been established to generate interest and display the rich collection of most intricate fabrics woven over different periods.
Bhutan’s arts and crafts also reflect the unique spirit and identity of the Himalayan kingdom. The arts of zorig chusu or the thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan remain very much alive today. There are two institutes of zorig chusu where these traditional arts and crafts are being taught today-one in the capital Thimphu, and the other in Trashi Yangtse in eastern Bhutan. Most handicraft emporiums and shops in towns display hand woven textiles and other hand crafted artifacts, arts, crafts and souveniers.

Traditional Medicine & health care
The free health care in Bhutan is a blend of modern and traditional medicine. The two systems co-exist and are complementary, starting from the basic dispensaries to the national hospitals. The institute of traditional medicinal services in Thimphu has its own production unit and the hospital for indigenous treatment.

Flora & fauna
Physically, Bhutan can be divided into three zones: Alpine Zone (4000m and above) with no forest cover; the Temperate Zone (2000 to 4000m) with conifer or broadleaf forests; and the Subtropical Zone (150m to 2000m) with Tropical or Subtropical vegetation. Ensuing from its wide range of altitude and climate, compounded by its 72 percent forest cover, the flora and fauna of Bhutan is diverse and rich.

Alpine Zone
Forest types in Bhutan are Fir Forests, Mixed Conifer Forest, Blue Pine Forest, Chirpine Forest, Broadleaf mixed with Conifer, Upland Hardwood Forest, Lowland Hardwood Forest, and Tropical Lowland Forests: More than 60 percent of the common plant species of the Eastern Himalayas can be found within Bhutan.

There are also 46 species of Rhododendrons and over 300 types of medicinal plants. Junipers, magnolias, carnivorous plants, rare orchids, blue poppy (the national flower), edelweiss, gentian, medicinal plants, daphne, giant rhubarb, high-altitude plants, tropical trees, pine and oak are also common sights.

Bhutan is heaven to a wide range of animals. Snow leopard, blue sheep, red panda, tiger, takin, marmot and musk deer are some of the species found in the high altitude. Temperate zone is a habitat to Tiger, leopard, goral, gray langur, Himalayan black beer, red panda, sambar, wild pig, and barking deer. The tropical forests in the south have tiger, clouded leopard, elephants, one horned Rhinoceros, water buffalo, golden langur, gaur, swamp deer, hog deer horn bills, among many others.

Bhutan is also considered a place favorable for birds. It is recognized as an area of high biological diversity and is known as the East Himalayan ‘hot spot’ situated as it is at the hub of 221 global endemic bird areas. Over 670 species of birds have been recorded and many more are likely to be found.

In addition, 57% of Bhutan’s globally threatened birds and 90% of the country’s restricted rare birds are dependent on forests. Bhutan has about 415 resident bird species. These inhabitant birds are altitudinal refugees, moving up and down the mountains depending upon the seasons and weather conditions. Around 50 species are known to be winter migrants. These include ducks, waders, birds of prey, thrushes, finches and buntings. About 40 species of summer visitors or partial migrants to Bhutan include cuckoos, swifts, bee-eaters, warblers, flycatchers and drongos. The country harbours more than 16 species of internationally vulnerable birds. They are Pallas’s Fish Eagle, White bellied Heron, Satyr Tragopan, Grey bellied Tragopan, Ward’s Trogaon, Blyth’s King Fisher, rumped Honey Guide, Purple Cochoa, Rufous throated Wren Babbler, Red headed Parrot Bill, Chestnut breasted Partridge, Blyth’s Trogon, Wood Snipe, Dark Rumped Swift,Rufous necked Hornbill, Grey crowned Prinia and the Beautiful Nuthatch all of which breed in Bhutan. The country is also an important wintering ground for the rare Black necked crane. Greater spotted Eagle, Baer’s Pochard, Imperial Eagle and Hodgson’s Bush chat are also found. As one of the ten global hot spots, Bhutan is all set to preserve and protect the rich environment through environmental organizations.

History
Archaeological evidence suggests that Bhutan was inhabited by nomadic herders as early as 2000-1500 BC. Although the destruction of original documents in fires and earthquakes has left much of Bhutan’s ancient history obscure, a few of the scriptures that were saved from such natural disasters reveal the prominence of Buddhist tradition and mythology. Other sources rely on reports from British explorers, and on legend and folklore. Archaeological evidence suggests that Bhutan was inhabited by nomadic herders as early as 2000-1500 BC. Although the destruction of original documents in fires and earthquakes has left much of Bhutan’s ancient history obscure, a few of the scriptures that were saved from such natural disasters reveal the prominence of Buddhist tradition and mythology. Other sources rely on reports from British explorers, and on legend and folklore.Recorded Bhutanese history dates back to the 747 AD when Guru Rimpoche first visited the country. Regarded as the second Buddha and the patron saint of Bhutan, he introduced the Buddhist religion in the country, providing a sense of cohesion during the middle ages.

Until the early 17th century, Bhutan was a cluster of fragmented provinces constantly at odds with each other. It was Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, a great spiritual personality and leader who brought an end to warring factions and unified the country into one nation, establishing a theocracy in 1652 and introducing a code of law. In the process of crushing several foreign invasions, mainly from Tibet, he initiated the building of many fortresses called Dzongs, which to this day, serve as centre of administration in the country.

The theocracy established by Shabdrung endured until 1907 when Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first hereditary king of Bhutan by popular consensus. Jigme Wangchuck succeeded him and ruled the country from 1926 to 1952. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, also known as the father of Modern Bhutan, was king from 1952 to 1972. The present king Jigme Singye Wangchuck came to the throne in 1972.

Religion
Till the visit of Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century, the people by and large worshiped all forms of nature. The religion that they practiced was animism that they referred to as Bon. People believed that the invisible forces were the rightful owners of the different elements of nature: mountain peaks as abodes of Guardian deities (Yul lha), the lakes inhabited by lake deities (Tsho mem), cliffs resided by cliff deities (Tsen), land belonged to the subterranean deities (Lue) and land deities (Sabdag), water sources inhabited by water deities (Chu gi Lhamu), and dark places haunted by the demons (due) etc.

As part of nature worship communities organized festivals that ranged from animal sacrifice in honor of the major deities to performing simple rituals and propitiation sufficing the minor deities. Even now, after the arrival of Buddhism, these practices carry on with some degree of change.

It was in the 8th century during the three visits of Guru Rinpoche that Buddhism began to take firm roots in Bhutan. His first visit was on his mission to treat the gravely ill Sendha Gyab, the king of Bumthang in 746 A.D. His visit led to the propagation of the Nyingmapa (the ancient or the older) school of Buddhism.
Old man doing koraOld man doing kora
The second visit was from Tibet across the high frozen passes through Singye Dzong in Lhuntse. From Singye Dzong, Guru, in his wrathful form of Dorji Drolo flew to Taktsang on the back of a tigress, who was actually his consort, Tashi Khyeuden. He meditated there for three months and subdued the demon. Today this place is considered one of the sacred places in Bhutan. His third visit was not very significant as it was just to put in exile Khikharathoed, the Dog mouth and goat skull king who was anti-Buddhist.

Phajo Drugom Zhigpo’s arrival to Bhutan in 1222 is another landmark in the history of Bhutan. He introduced the Drukpa Kagyu school of Buddhism. Further his sons also worked in spreading the tradition of Drukpa Kagyu especially in western Bhutan.

One of the greatest historical figures of Bhutan is Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who came to Bhutan in 1616 after a conflict with the King of Tsang in Tibet. Besides unifying Bhutan, he also strengthened the Drukpa Kagyu school of Buddhism. Today, Drukpa Kagyu is the state religion of Bhutan. However, people also follow Nyingmapa school of Buddhism and Hinduism.

Besides Guru Rinpoche, Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, many other lamas had also contributed to the propagation of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Monks conducting rituals
It is a country where Buddhism is still vibrant and alive. The Dzongs, monasteries, stupas, prayer flags, and prayer wheels punctuate the Bhutanese landscape. The chime of ritual bells, sound of gongs, people circumambulating temples and stupas, fluttering prayer flags, red robed monks conducting ritual, among many others are all living case in point to reveal that Buddhism is an essential ingredient of Bhutanese life.

Festivals
The Buddhist festivals or tsechus are one of the prime examples of the living culture of Bhutan that many have come to admire and treasure. The tsechu is a festival in honor of Guru Rinpoche , the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan and the Himalayan world.
Tsechus are held in almost every district attracting hundreds of Bhutanese people in a spirit of festivity, celebrations and deep faith. Held on the tenth day of the Bhutanese month the festivals last up to four days in which a series of highly stylized masked dance rituals are performed. Bhutanese come dressed in their best for the very special social occasion. Tsechus takes place throughout the country in every district at different times of the year. The smaller tsechus are often more interesting as visitors get a close and better perspective of a local festival. Apart from tsechus. Folk festivals exist on a smaller, community scale that provides fascinating insight into local beliefs.

Tourists are allowed into the dzongs to watch the festivals, but are not allowed into the inner sanctuaries. Photography should always be discreet. It is generally allowed for photographs to be taken at tsechus but not at dromches.

Culture
Bhutan’s traditional culture is alive in its performing arts, such as dance and music which are an integral part of religious ceremonies. In addition, secular performances, such as dance, songs, traditional instrumental music, drama based on biographies of religious personalities hold a special place in the lives of the people as they play an important role in national, village, or domestic functions and festivals. Bhutan’s textile tradition has, in recent years, gone international. The distinct technique, colour and style of indigenous Bhutanese weaving is being increasingly appreciated by textile specialists, collectors and users.

People
Bhutanese are a Mongoloid race of people who originally migrated into and settled the country in the 7th Century AD. A nomadic and pastoral society at first, they gradually turned to agriculture in the fertile valleys.
There are three main ethnic groups - the Ngalongs in the western and central regions are the descendants of Tibetan immigrants who arrived in Bhutan from the 9th century. The Sharchops who live in the east of the country, are recognized as the original inhabitants of Bhutan. The third group is known as Lhotshampas. They represent the Nepali speaking ethnic group. The total population of Bhutan is little over 600,000.

Rituals and music
The religious dances, rituals, folk music and dances form integral parts of all celebrations and social activities. No functions begin without a ritual to seek blessings.
The Royal Academy of performing Arts instituted by the government to preserve the traditional performing arts train professionals in the field of Bhutanese music, dances a9both religious and folk) and songs.

Sport
Inter-village rivalry is common throughout Bhutan and this rivalry is no more fiercely expressed than during archery tournaments. They are generally held at Losar (Bhutanese New Year) but smaller competitions are held throughout the year.
The revelry begins the night before the contest. Teams employ astrologers to assist in the selection process and to help cast spells on the opposition.
The tournament itself begins with initiation ceremonies and a traditional breakfast. Alcohol flows from early in the day and spirits are always high. Despite the frivolity the archers take the games seriously and the level of play is professional. Bhutan sent its first team to the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.