TRIP TO OMBHA NYE

Half way to Ombha Nye 

Ombha Nye

 TRIP TO OMBHA NYE

It was 5th September 2014, the trip was organized by NBC, Bhutan (National Biodiversity Center) was the first researcher team made to Ombha Nye, Tashiyangtse under Tedtsoe Geog. The Team was lead by Dy. Chief of NBC, Bhutan Mr. Rinchen Dorji and followed by Mr. Rinzin Choney from Wengkhar, Research Center in Mongar, as most of the Team was first visit to Ombha Nye. Having begun our day started from Kheney Geog Center, the journey started with good objective, prayers and hope whereby it also turned out to be a productive trip.

The long journey seemed so exhausting and tiresome. Our feet thump bravely through rocky deciduous forest mostly covered with different species of trees. Several times, I toss and turn, trapped in the kind of nightmares that make us hot while the distant river or some primal drum beats a constant rhythm to a fitful dream. And before we made to the topmost Temple, Caretaker guided us and took us for explanations about the Temple.  

It says the letter “Om” is located in Ombha Ney, which means the sacred place of hidden “Om” in Tashiyangtse. It is a legendary place since 8^th century where Guru Rinpoche visited Bhutan to subdue the demons and spread Buddha Dharma. It is one of the many places in Bhutan which is blessed and considered a sacred site because Bhutanese believes that there is not even a horse’s hoof size land area in Bhutan where Guru Rinpoche did not visit to bless. Ombha Ney is one of the many unexplored Nyes in Bhutan due to inaccessibility.

It is said that Guru Rinpoche has kept his prophecy for the wellbeing of the future sentient beings during different materialistic times by blessing three most sacred religious sites based on the three letters of his Dharma. They are ‘Om’, ‘Aa’ and ‘hung’.

  

The letter ‘Om’ which means wisdom body is located in Teodtso Gewog under Tashi Yangtse Dzongkhag, ‘Aa’ (Wisdom Speech) is located in Aaja in Sherimuhung in Mongar Dzongkhag and ‘Hung’(Wisdom Mind) can be seen at Hungdrel in Paro Dzongkhag. According to a legendary, those three places are so connected spiritually and are equally sacred and blessed at the same time by Guru Rinpoche though we can only view them at very different places far from each other.

The trip was perhaps 36 kilometers from Tashigang till a place called Tsangpochen in Tashi Yangtse. From Duksum( place where three trails meet) ,Tsangpochen is a 45 minute drive and from there  no motor able road and then we had to walk for about 2-3 hours towards places named Sep and Jangphutse village through a narrow and gentle sloped route without much climbing. After passing by some villages there, we were at Ombha village and the Nye place was just a fifteen minutes climb up the hill. Once at Ombha Nye, a lhakhang and statue of Guru Rinpoche greet the eyes. The traditional architectural structural where hovering on a solid rocky cliff. All the students were totally exhausted but became energetic again after a delicate lunch at a homely place there.

The Nye is huddled on a bottom of rocky mountain beneath Jangphutse. Upon asking the koenyer(caretaker) he said the Om refers to the wisdom body of Guru Rinpoche and that Ombha Nye was first revealed as a sacred Nye by some descendants of Guru Choewang. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche came to Ombha Nye following his vision which he professed in Monyuel Shao Taktshang in Arunachel Pradesh. Guru Rinpoche as prophesied trailed to Ombha Nye to subdue a snake demon that tormented people in Toedtsho. Later the treasurer of Terton Pema Lingpa has also blessed the place and then his granddaughter named Ani Choeten Zangmo also spent sometimes there in meditation. So he said that it is a must for us to visit such place once in our lifetime.

The place is made up of massive rock and the letter ‘Om’ can be actually viewed imprinted on the rock surface. Besides the holy inscriptions on the mountain, there were other sacred sites like Chortens on the rocks, hat, cave Guru Rinpoche meditated and walking stick, hand and footprints of Guru himself. It is believed that one can rinse away all the sins committed if we go through the narrow tracks inside the rocks there. According to legendary Guru Rinpoche blessed the place when he was in pursuit of Yong alias Geygnen Choephel guardian deity of Gomphu Kora. So today, it is believed that the local deity is residing there to protect every people and animal of that place. We came to know other sacred places nearby such as a place called ‘Gongza’ located at about few distance walk down from there. The name was actually known as ‘Gong Ja’ whereby Guru spent duration of having tea.

  

As the valley got into paddy cultivation and chilly gloominess, we started and continued our Journey towards Jangphutse which is about half hour walk from the Lakhang/Temple evening breeze of Yangtse Valley. The long tiring day made everybody in bad condition when we reached to the Kheney Geog lately but every step, every bead of sweat and every single discomfort we endured purified our minds and rewarded manifold. Therefore, it was indeed an enlightening, learning and adventurous trip was fabulously.

13 Arts and Crafts of Bhutan

1.      Painting (lhazo)

Traditionally, practiced by both men and women with a religious background and as all the art and dedications were religious.  Painting follows strict iconographic rules was mostly done on cloth for murals and banners (Thangka) with mineral pigments but since the 1980s, synthetic colors are used and auspicious motives adorn the outside walls and woodwork of buildings and houses.

2.      Sculpture (Jimzo)

Bhutanese are famous for the quality and the intricacy of their clay sculpture, representing deities and religious figures. The most renowned craftsmen come from Heyphu Monastery (Neyphu) in Paro valley and have worked the world over.

The quality of the image also comes from the mixture of clay and other materials such as paper, used. The mixing ad beating of clay is done by hand and then the artist on a bamboo or light wood framework shapes the image.

Pottery is most of the time included under sculpture although the daily utensils have a simple shape.

3.      Carving (Parzo)

It includes slate carving, stone carving and woodcarving, the latter being the most practiced. While stone-carving is hardly practiced in Bhutan except prayers on rocks, bas-relief slate carvings of deities or of mantras were widely used on mani-walls, chortens and round the Dzongs central towers.

Although ancient masks were sometimes made of papier maché, it was a time consuming technique, which has been abandoned. Masks today are made in wood, mostly blue pine, and then painted. They represent the different deities appearing in the mask dances, as well as theatsara (jester).

Wood carving for printing purposes, called xylography, is extremely important and requires a great dexterity as well as a properly oiled woodblock. Woodcarving is also done on windows, pillars, and capitals and is one of the arts where Bhutanese excel with very simple tools.

4.      Calligraphy (yigzo)

Before woodblocks were introduced as a printing technique, probably in the 14th century, all the religious texts and official documents were written by hand. Calligraphy is therefore an ancient form of art and a scribe has to have six qualities in his writing: perfect shape, uniformity, legibility, speed, spelling and proportions.

In Bhutan there are different styles of scripts derived from the Tibetan script: uchen, umey but the most used is called jyuyig, an elegant cursive.

Also present are the ornamental scripts, such as the Lantsa and the Vartu, derived from Indian alphabets. Before writing on paper, which was expensive, scribes trained on wooden planks covered with chalk.

5.      Paper-making (Shogzo)

Paper is produced from the Daphne and edgeworthia shrubs. It is a lengthy and time-consuming process. The shredded bark is boiled in a large vat before being reduced into pulp and then spread onto a bamboo net. This paper is called tshar shog and is thick, darkish and strong. If the pulp is spread onto a cotton cloth, then the paper is called reshog and is whitish and thinner then the large sheets (A3 size) are dried in the sun and smoothen. Generally these handmade papers are very strong and cannot tear easily.

The sheets were used to write religious texts, official documents but also to wrap objects and were bartered with goods from Tibet.

6.      Casting (lugzo)

Another kind of sculpture is the so-called “bronze” images, which require specific techniques: wax casting and sand casting. These images are of deities and religious figures and the techniques originated from the Newari craftsmen of Kathmandu.

Wax casting or lost waste casting is more time consuming than sand-casting where a non-permanent rough sand mould is used. In both case the finishing of ornaments and details are done by hand. A good caster has to be skilled in drawing, sculpturing, casting, welding, carving and polishing. Many great religious figures used to cast images and ritual objects.

7.      Embroidery (Tshemzo)

Embroidery and appliqué (patchwork) were traditionally the craft of men with a religious background as these techniques were used essentially for religious or royal textiles. The technique of embroidery came from China via Tibet and was used for banners and ceremonial clothes.

Today girls are taught embroidery and appliqué in the 13 Arts & Crafts School (“Zorig Chusum School”) in Thimphu.

8.      Textiles (Thagzo)

Textiles were woven almost exclusively by women. They are made of silk, cotton and wool yarns and can be plain or highly decorated. After a long hand-made vegetal dying process, or the purchase of ready-made threads, they are woven on back strap looms or on pedal looms. The most spectacular weave called Kishuthara includes the brocade technique.

Each pattern and color combination has a specific name and the motives have symbolic meanings. The best weavers came from the East and North-east of the country. They wove, in their spare time, for their family and to pay the textile tax. Nowadays, in urban centres, women have taken up weaving as a profession as there is a market and some men have joined them. The Textile Museum and academy in Thimphu is raising the profile of Bhutanese textiles and is a great encouragement for the weavers

9.      Carpentry (Shingzo)

Carpenters owned their lands. They were called by the government to work on fortresses or monasteries or by their neighbors to work on a new house when necessary. The carpenter was also the architect and knew how to calculate the proportions of a house plan and measure. Assistants could help the carpenter. All the woodwork, beams, pillars, roof rafters and window frames were made on the ground and then set “readymade” in the building. Each piece had a special technical name and some carpenters used to keep a notebook but drawings were not common.

10. Masonry (Dozo)

Cutting and dressing the stones was a special craft practiced by skilled labor but the masons were under the supervision of the carpenter who acted as the architect. It is still the same today. Besides stones for the walls, which come into four different shapes according to their use, masons also prepare flat stones for the courtyards.

11. Bamboo weaving (Tsharzo)

Cane and bamboo products always complemented wood and pottery as domestic items. Villagers living near bamboo groves (the bamboos thrive up to an altitude of 3000m) cut, split, dry and weave the bamboos, especially to make fencing for the fields or roofs mats for temporary sheds. Domestic items such as plates, baskets, quivers, sieves, alcohol containers were woven in semi-tropical regions and villagers used both the outer and inner layers of the bamboo.

12. Gold/Silver Smithy (Trozo)

Goldsmiths were attached to large monasteries and to the Royal Family’s courts and used to do work on request for other people in their spare time. Their work included lay objects like ornaments, betel boxes, teapots, offering plates, and religious objects: musical and ritual instruments, butter-lamps, offering cups and plates, and ewers.

13. Blacksmithy (Garzo)

Bhutan was known to have iron ore in Paro and in the East, prompting the great Tibetan religious figure Thangton Gyelpo (1385-1464) to come to Bhutan for iron. He is known to have built several iron chain bridges. The blacksmiths, besides making agricultural tools, were famous for their skills in making chains amours, daggers, knifes and different kind of swords. Swords had a name according to their location and maker’s name.

Festivals in Bhutan

Festivals in Bhutan

Festivals in Bhutan takes place at different times of year, regarding to place to place. “Tshechu” known to the localities of Bhutan for festival, comes in a form of religious activities, and the time when people gather, with their best attires. Festivals are celebrated on 10th Day of particular month, so the name “Tshechu” was derived, (“Tshe” means Date and “Chu” means 10).

Tshechu festivals are celebrated for several days ranging from minimum of three days to five days, according to their location. One would be able to view and witness Bhutanese Focal Dances, religious dance, Mask Dances known as “Chaam”, and other religious dramas and epics of great known saint of Buddhism. These dances are performed by Monks, laymen and few dances by students of RAPA (Royal Academy of Performing Arts).

Atsara are clowns, with their expressive masks and postures, are an indispensable element in any religious festival. They confront the monks, toss out salacious jokes, and distract the crowd with their antics when the religious dances begin to grow tedious. Believed to represent Acharyas (religious masters of India) they are the only people permitted to mock religion in a society where sacred matters are treated with the highest respect. For a few days these popular entertainers are allowed the freedom to express a formulaic challenge within an established framework that does not, however upset the social and religious order.

Some tshechus end with the displaying of a huge appliqué thangkha (scroll) called “Thongdroel”. The Thongdroel is unveiled at first light to bring enlightenment to all who view it. The faithful believe that by simply viewing this Thongdroel, they can be delivered from the cycle of reincarnations,

For the Bhutanese, religious festivals offer an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion and gain much merit. They are also occasions for seeing people, and for being seen, for social exchanges, and for flaunting success. People bring out their finest clothes, their most beautiful jewelries, and go for picnic with abundant alcohol and meat. Men and women joke and flirt. An atmosphere of convivial, slightly ribald good humor prevails.

Where is Bhutan located?

Thimphu, Tashichhodzong

Where is Bhutan located in the world?

Bhutan is located in the country of South Asia, shares the land border between two biggest countries in the world, to the North China and India towards South. Bhutan covers 38,394 square kilometers of land, making it the 138th largest nation in terms of land area. Bhutan became an independent state in 1947, after gaining its sovereignty from The United Kingdom. The population of Bhutan is 716,896 (2012) and the nation has a density of 19 people per square kilometer. The currency of Bhutan is the Ngultrum (BTN). As well, the people of Bhutan are referred to as Bhutanese. The dialing code for the country is 00975 and the top level internet domain for Bhutanese sites is .bt.

 Quick facts

Population	716,896
Density	18.7 / km2 ( 48.4 / mi2 )
Language	Dzongkha
Independence Year	1947
Capital	Thimphu (Thimphu)
Currency	Ngultrum
GDP	1,821,412,873 (2014 data)
GDP per Capita	2,541 (2014 data)
Land Area	38,394 km2 (14,824 mi2)
Neighboring Countries	India and China
Minimum Longitude	88.770
Maximum Longitude	92.130
Minimum Latitude	26.710
Maximum Latitude	28.330

What is the capital of Bhutan?

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan. It has a population of 98,676, and is located on latitude of 27.47 and longitude of 89.64. Thimphu is also the political center of Bhutan, which is considered a Constitutional Monarchy, and home to its Executive head of state.

Quick Facts about Thimphu, the Capital of Bhutan

Name of City	Thimphu
Country	Bhutan
Population	98,676
Longitude	89.64191000
Latitude	27.46609000
Elevation	2307 meters over sea level

WELCOME GREETING

Kuzuzangpo! Very warm welcome to the Tashi Penjor blogspot page. 

Legends and fabled tales of old described the Himalayas as a realm of mystery and for centuries the snowcapped mountains remained oblivious to the rest of the world. Tales of the yeti and wandering spirits surrounding the mountains have haunted the travelling nomads and migrants for generations. A number of ancient history books mentioned the great Tibetan Emperor, Songtsen Gampo, finally taming the evil entities by building a legion of sacred temples all around the mountains. Hence, civilization slowly bloomed around the Himalayas and Bhutan came into existence as a country.

We take immense pleasure in accompanying you on your journey through Bhutan, “The Land of the Thunder Dragon”. A country exuding an aura of indescribable charm and a land riddled with many mysteries. Bhutan lies along the lofty ridges of the eastern Himalayas, bordering the Tibetan autonomous region of China in the North and India in the South. The snowcapped Himalayan Mountains protected Bhutan from the rest of the world and left the Kingdom blissfully untouched.

The society of Bhutan is immersed in deep Buddhist religion and provides the essence of a rich culture and fascinating history. With a relatively small population of about 700,000 people, the Bhutanese people enjoy a simple lifestyle which they inherited from their forefathers. More than 80% of the total population lives in small villages sparsely scattered over rugged mountainous terrain.

For centuries the Bhutanese have treasured the natural environment, looking upon it as a source of life. This traditional reverence for nature has brought Bhutan into the 21st century with a pristine environment.  More than 72% of the land area is under forest cover. Bhutan is one of the ten bio-diversity hot spots in the world and one of the 221 global endemic bird areas. Its ecosystem harbors some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayas with an estimated 770 species of birds and 50 species of rhododendrons, besides an astonishing variety of medicinal plants and orchids.

Bhutan's beautiful and largely unspoiled Himalayan setting, its rich flora and fauna and its vibrant culture have made it an increasingly popular tourist destination. In addition to generating hard currency revenue, tourism is also providing the much needed resources to develop the service sector and ensure a balanced and sustainable development for all the Bhutanese.

Bhutan is best known to the world today as the last Shangri-La. The few visitors who make the rare journey into this extraordinary kingdom will discover that there is no other destination like this land of pure and exotic mysticism. In this country known as Druk Yul, or the 'Land of the Peaceful Dragon', the fortunate visitor will find a rare combination of harmony and accord, amidst a landscape of incredible natural beauty.

Tashi Delek !

Gasa Tsachu

Gasa Tsachu

Just when visitors to Gasa tsachu (hot springs) were starting to increase, with road access till Geza, and electricity, the hot spring itself has gone under. The healing waters of the country’s most famous hot spring now flow under the Mochu river, which has taken a new course after the May 26 flood that completely washed away the five soaking ponds and the VIP bathhouse built around the spring.

The flood also washed away a canopy, a stable, an outreach clinic (ORC) and attached room, shops and public toilets, according to the tsachu caretaker, Dago. All that remains is the suspension bridge across the Mochu and the pungent smelling sinusitis cure holes located a few metres from the tsachu area.

The tsachu is also an important source of cash income and, with it gone, the Gasaps are feeling the pinch. A businesswoman, who runs a restaurant at the junction of the trail towards Gasa dzong and the tsachu, told Kuensel that her sales have gone down from Nu 1,500 a day to about Nu 500 a day.

The locals have attempted to restore the tsachu. Three weeks after the flood, a few people from Gasa and the tsachu caretakers made temporary ponds and soaked in them. “A monk advised us to put sand in sacks and make temporary ponds,” said caretaker Dago. But they got washed away that same night.

With the rains raising the level of the river locating the source of the hot spring has become risky. Landslides were taking place in the tsachu area when Kuensel visited on July 9.

People are using a temporary wooden ladder and a thin wire to go downstream and collect the tsachu water.

The flood still haunts the tsachu caretakers. “Whenever it rains, I hear sounds similar to the one I heard on May 26,” said Lhamo, 60, who worked as the neyda (one, who makes offering to the local deities). The spring has also been a traditional source of healing for the people of Gasa. Now they cannot do that anymore.

Gasa dzongrab Karma Rinchen told Kuensel that dzongkhag officials had located all the five hot spring sources near the riverbank, but with the river swollen all of them were under the river now.

“Our immediate concern is to least come up with temporary ponds, so that people can come and soak,” dzongrab Karma Rinchen said. “Retrieval may be possible only after the monsoon.”

The dzongkhag administration is planning to divert the river to its original course and build river protection walls. Dzongkhag officials have tried building embankments and walls to divert the river.

“We want people to come to the tsachu this winter so that Gasa residents aren’t deprived of their livelihood,” the dzongrab said.

Dzongkhag officials hope the government will take care of the permanent restoration. “Land should be reclaimed and huge protections walls built to restore the area,” said an official.

Flora & Fauna

Takin: National Animal of Bhutan 

Langur

Flora and Fauna 

Nestled deep within the Himalayas, Bhutan is a treasure trove of biological diversity with an unparalleled richness of flora and fauna due to the varied altitudinal and climatic conditions present in the country. This fragile ecosystem has remained unspoiled due to the conservation efforts of the Bhutanese people and government. Today 60% of the kingdom’s total area has been designated as protected nature preserves.

Bhutan is the perfect destination for enthusiastic horticulturalists as it contains more than 60%of the common plant species found in the Eastern Himalayas. It also boasts of approximately 46 species of Rhododendrons and over 300 types of medicinal plants. Junipers, Magnolias, Orchids, Blue Poppies (the national flower), Edelweiss, Gentian, various medicinal herbs, Daphne, Giant Rhubarb, Pine and Oak trees are among the plants commonly found.


The kingdom is also home to a wide variety of animals. At higher altitudes you will come across snow leopards, blue sheep, red pandas, takin, marmots and musk deer. Leopards, gorals, gray langurs, Himalayan black bears, red pandas, sambars, wild pigs and barking deer are found in the temperate zones. The tropical forests in the south are a haven for clouded leopards, elephants, one horned Rhinoceros, water buffalos, golden langurs, gaurs, swamp deer, hog deer, hornbills and many other species. Bhutan is home to the highest altitude inhabiting Tigers in the world and they are commonly found throughout the country.
Visitors can experience the magnificent flora and fauna of Bhutan through sightseeing tours or by embarking on treks and hikes through beautiful virgin forests, pristine Himalayan Mountains and across sparkling crystal clear rivers fed by ancient mountain glaciers. Roads in Bhutan pass through the rich forests so travelers can experience the majestic natural environments of Bhutan

Village Tour

Village Tour

Bhutan Village tour is our sincere effort to show real Bhutan found in its villages, where time have stood still. Immerse in its culture, try the local food, visit Bhutanese farmers, interact with the families, children, monks and nuns and revitalize with traditional stone bath. We also include visits to the key monuments such as Dzongs and but ensuring that you will not be dzonged out with too many of them. Our long experience and visitors’ feedback for many years have prompted us to come up with this tour that provides authentic Bhutanese experience. It is a summary of all that draws visitors our country; friendly people, beautiful scenery, a vibrant, proud culture. On this tour, Wind Horse strive to showcase the living culture and traditions, and its harmony with modernity. It is our endeavor to show the pristine environment and how culture, nature and modernity can coexists to provide happiness in the country known for Gross National Happiness.

Sakten Wildlife Sanctury

Camp Site 

SAKTENG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Located in the easternmost part of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary spans an area of 650 sq. km and is Bhutan’s newest protected area (launched in 2003). The sanctuary is a lost world of biodiversity waiting to be discovered. It presents a wide diversity of Himalayan terrestrial ecosystems, namely alpine meadow, temperate forest, and warm broadleaf forest. The Sanctuary is home to people of isolated nomadic tribes. It is characterized by thick carpets of rhododendrons, and in its habitat roam snow leopards, red pandas, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, Himalayan red fox, the hoary-bellied Himalayan squirrel and even the mythical Yeti (or the “Abominable Snowman”). Sakteng is virtually untouched by development. Bird species include the Assamese macaw, blood pheasant, grey backed shrike, grey headed woodpecker, common hoopoe, rufous vented tit and dark breasted rose finch. Plant life includes Bhutan’s national flower, the blue poppy, rhododendrons, primulas and gentiana, all of which transform the park into a garden of colors during spring time.