iLOve Bhutan: Thimphu - Punakha

DOCHULA PASS

Druk Wangyal Chortens, Dochula Pass

After 2 nights in Thimphu, we advance our journey on to Punakha thru the gorgeous and breathtaking view of the Dochula Pass. This Dochula Pass at its highest point stands at 3050masl and this is where the DRUK WANGYAL CHORTENS are built. This beautiful pass with its 108 stupas was built by Her Majesty The Queen Mother Ashi DorjiWangmoWangchuck to commemorate victory over the Indian militants and to liberate the souls of the lives lost.
It offers a stunning panaromic view of the Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.

This pass is also a popular spiritual destination because an important temple is located on the crest of the Dochula Pass. The DRUK WANGYAL LHAKHANG (temple) was built in honour of His Majesty the fourth, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appears to merge in the details of the Lhakhang and its structure tells a story of a supreme warrior figure, whose vision pierces the distant future in a fine blend of history and mythology.

group photo at Druk Wangyal Chorten, Dochula Pass

Spectacular view of the Himalayas !

snap ! snap ! snap ! snap ! snap ! . . . . .

BOLLYWOOD STYLE !?

what's with this "flying pose "

going back to our van

and our next stop . . . is BHUTAN NATIONAL ANIMAL , the TAKIN

in the RESERVE. .

The Motithang Takin Reserve, located in a district in Thimphu is a wildlife reserve area for Takin. The Takin attract attention due to its unusual appearance and many people describe it as a "Bee-stung" moose .They are found from forested valleys to rocky grass covered alpine zones at altitudes between 1000masl to 4500masl. It is listed as a vulnerable specie of the goat-antelope native to Bhutan, India and Tibet. Our guide Lhawang say at higher altitude their hair has a golden shine.

and of course all the click click click click !

and coming down the slopes of the reserve, we HAVE TO stop at the home-made weaving .

and on to CHHIMI LHAKHANG. To reach Chhimi Lhakhang we took a dusty dirt road and walk thru wheat fields across a stream and timber houses until we climb a small rise and find a normal looking temple, with a beautiful Bodhi tree and little monks playing football in the flat green landing. Dogs as usual lying in the sun. It was a pleasant place but nothing out of the ordinary . It was built in the 15th Century by the 14th Drukpa after the site was blessed by the DIVINE MADMAN , the maverick saint, DRUKPA KUNLEY. It is a fertility temple.

Chhimi Lhakhang

fertilised and off we go !

under the beautiful BODHI TREE

gotta pull down pants and pull up socks. .

In founding this site, it is said that the Lama Kunley subdued a demon with his magical thunderbolt of wisdom and trapped it in a rock that is located close to the temple. He is known as the "Divine Madman" for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humour and outrageous behaviour, which amounts to being bizzare and shocking with sexual overtones.
He is also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and as flying carved wooden phalluses on house roof tops.
The monastery is the repository of the original wooden symbol of phallus that Kunley brought from Tibet. This wooden phallus has a silver handle and is used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage, particularly women who seek blessings to conceive. The tradition at the monastery is to strike pilgrims on the head with the 10 in wooden phallus. Traditionally the symbols of the erect penis in Bhutan has been intended to drive away evil and malicious gossips.

On the way up to the Monastery, we have to walk thru beautiful wheat fields...

REMEMBER TO BRING LOTS OF SUNBLOCK LOTION ! !

BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN WHEAT FIELDS

CLICK ...CLICK...click. . . . .

pretty butts in a row

watching young monks playing football outside the temple

had a wonderful buffet lunch , rest and off we go to the Punakha Dzong.

her bolster for the night !

IT AIN'T HEAVY, HE'S MY BROTHER . . .

OMG ! even the railing handles . . .

OOPS, CAUGHT ON CAMERA !

POLITICS in some countries

PUNAKHA was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of govt until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km from Thimphu and takes about 3 hrs by car. Unlike Thimphu it is quite warm in winter and hot in summer. It is about 1200masl and rice is main crop grown on the river valleys on the two main rivers of Bhutan, the Po Chu and Mo Chu.

The Punakha Dzhong was constructed in the 17th C. It is the 2nd oldest and 2nd largest Dzhong in Bhutan and one of the most majestic structures in Bhutan.It houses the sacred relics of the southern Drupa Kagyu school and the remains of its founder Zhabdrung Nhawang Nyamgal.

THE SHUTTER-BUGS

PUNAKHA DZHONG

the entrance

Inside the DZHONG, intricate and beautiful carvings and paintngs adorn the walls of the Dzhong. The materials used in building the Dzhong consisted of compacted earth, stones and timber in doors and windows.The Dzhong was constructed as an " embodiment of Buddhist values".

the courtyard with the BODHI TREE

GOING UP AND INTO THE COURTYARD

young monk with musical instrument

GROUP PHOTO at entrance to courtyard

A covered wooden cantilever bridge crossing the Mo Chu river was built together with the Dzhong in the 17C. But this bridge was washed away by flash floods in 1957. In 2006, work started on a new wooden cantilever bridge in a traditional style, with a free span of 55m. It was completed in 2008. Thus in 2008, the new bridge was hailed as a celebration of 100years of Wangchuck Monarchy and to the coronation of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar NamgyelWangchuck in the Punakha Dzhong. Thus, the Dzhong has been the venue of all coronation of all the Kings of Bhutan.

the bridge over the Chu

The Dzhong is located at the confluence of the Pho Chu (father) and Mo Chu (mother) rivers in the Punakha-Wangdue Valley.
According to the local legend, our guide Lhawang told us, the Guru Rimpoche prophesized that a person named Nyamgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant. Zhamdrup Nyamgyal found the peak of the hill, which appeared in the shape of the trunk of the elephant as phophesized, and built the Dzhong in 1638.

Some of the intricate paintings with Buddhist values. . .as our guide Lhawang tells us the myth and legends behind each one of them. . .

And so, our journey carries on... to the Pho Chuu SUSPENSION BRIDGE
The 160m bridge is known for the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.

on the way to the bridge . . .

on the dried dusty path to the bridge, thousands and thousands of ROASTED WORMS ! ! ! or is that what they call cordyceps ?

on the way, of course we had to stop for pee pee . . . . hmmm is that how you do it ?

check out the place first. . .

and also another group photo for the dusty road. . . .

not bad considering we are into our 3rd day on a vegetarian diet . . and still smiling

and then to the typical Bhutanese farmhouse. In fact it ia our Lhawang. friend's own family house. They are so friendly and welcoming and extend their hospitality to us without hesitation. We were very lucky in fact as it happens to be the start of the "harvest season" , so there was a small ceremony in the house. Some of us were lucky to try their Bhutanese Milk Tea.

while some of them were in the ceremony . . . .