View of the Barshong Goenpa, photo by Bhutan Traveler
Barshong Goenpa/Monastery is located between Khaling and Yonphula can be reached new Barshong Goenpa within 20 minutes drive from Khaling about 10 kilometres. The Monastery was established in 2002 by Zorig Trulku Rimpoche, the Monastery has more than 130 monks under the Guidance of Zorig Trulku Rimpoche. Inside the Temple main statu is Buddha in middle, right hand side is Guru Padmasambhava and left handside is 8th Gelwa Karmapa.
Above the New Monastery there is small temple located in dense forest is origin of Barshong Temple and at present it's indanger to visit the Temple as monk of New Monastery mentioned.
View of Nunnery Monastery photo by Bhutan Traveler
View of the Khardung Nunnery Monastery.
THEGCHOG KUNZANG CHODEN NUNNERY:
Monastery was built on the hill top of Pakaling village under Radhi Gewog, Tashigang Dzongkhag later in 1993, the number of nuns increased to the extent that a seperate nunnery had to be established in Radhi, Pakaling, Eastern Bhutan.Thereafer, Rinpoche has been exploring for sponsors from abroad. With the blessings of the Buddha and the kind assistance and contribution from the donors and supporters, Rinpoche has successfully constructed the Thegchog Kunzang Chodon Nunnery to cater to the needs of the nuns.
Within the living museum of Simply Bhutan in the country’s capital of Thimphu, you’ll find a garden rather unique in its flora.
Phalluses are not an uncommon sight in Bhutan. The symbol is meant to bring good luck, promote fertility and harmony, and ward off evil spirits. They’re painted in and on buildings, displayed on the headgear of Atsaras (masked clowns), and even used as scarecrows. A traditional housewarming ritual involves hoisting a basket of wooden phalluses onto the roof on the new home.
The symbols date back to the 15th century, when the eccentric Buddhist teacher Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman,” popularized the symbol when he brought Buddhism to Bhutan (showcased by his “penis-focused monastery,” Chimi Lhakhang).
The Garden of Phallus is found in Simply Bhutan, a museum, restaurant, and photography studio built to resemble a Bhutanese village. Larger-than-life phallus statues mingle with plants in front of a mural which features several hanging smiling faces whose noses look an awful lot like, well, we’ll let you guess what they look like.
Know Before You Go
The garden is inside the Simply Bhutan museum and restaurant complex on Genyen Lam.
Kyichu Lhakhang (also called Lho Kyerchu and Kyerchu) is a majestic seventh-century temple revered as one of the most magnificent sites of worship in Bhutan. Located in the town of Paro, some sources reference the temple as one of the oldest in the nation; others name it the oldest.
The original temple is said to have been built overnight on the left foot of a colossal ogress—otherwise referred to as a demoness—who intercepted the spread of Buddhism as she lay across the land. It’s thought to be one of over 100 temples established to overpower her so Buddhism could flourish far and wide.
Kyichu Lhakhang is believed to have been a smaller structure when the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo erected this sacred building in the year 659, but a number of Buddhist saints and gurus added to the site until it became the spectacular temple it is today. Legend has it that the Second Buddha, Padmasambhava, was one of the important historical figures who paid pilgrimage to Kyichu Lhakhang in the eighth century, and that he hid treasure teachings around the temple.
The building underwent a round of renovations in the 1830s, and in 1968, the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck ordered its expansion in the way of Guru Lhakhang: a neighboring chapel that houses statues of Padmasambhava and Kurukulla, a female lotus deity, clutching a bow and an arrow made of flowers.
Beyond the exquisite gilded door to the main temple of Jowo Lhakhang is an original statue of Jowo Jamba (also Jowo Shakyamuni or Jowo Rinpoche) forged in the seventh century. His likeness constitutes the most sacred sculpture in the region, and the wooden planks on the floor in front of him manifest the wear and tear of centuries of worship at his feet. Nearby, a statue of Chenrezig, an all-knowing deity said to embody the compassion of all the Buddhas, bears 11 heads and 1,000 arms.
The cloisters that fortify the temple foster a contemplative space populated by fruit trees and prayer wheels, which monks spin quietly as they circulate the space. The inner courtyard conceals a mural portraying King Gesar of Ling, a warrior who is said to have conjured the longest poem in history.
Know Before You Go
Kyichu Lhakhang is a 10-minute drive from Paro proper. Visitors are welcome between 9 a.m. and noon, and 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Bhutan to allow entry & exit of regional tourists through 5 border towns
Bhutan endorses opening of direct flights between Guwahati to Yongphula, Bumthang and Gelephu
In order to boost tourism sector in Bhutan, the National Assembly of Bhutan endorsed entry and exit of regional tourists through the border towns of Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu, Samtse, Nanglam and Panbang.
According to a report posted on the official website of the National Assembly of Bhutan on Friday, currently, regional tourists are not allowed to enter from other than Phuentsholing.
The decision has been taken after the Member from Dewathang-Gomdar constituency moved a motion to institute special and targeted measures to promote tourism for balanced regional development in the country.
The Members of the National Assembly said although tourism has benefited the country in terms of revenue and employment generation, only a handful of Dzongkhags have reaped the benefits.
The House agreed on the need to promote tourism and balanced regional development in the country and deliberated in details the advantages and risks of opening up additional entry and exit points for tourists.
The House passed the motion to introduce regulations for entry and exit of regional tourists though the border towns of Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu, Samtse, Nanglam and Panbang while ensuring security concerns by incorporating conditions that the tourists use Bhutanese vehicles and guides.
While the motion was passed with 40 ‘Yes’ votes and 2 ‘No’ votes and 1 abstain out of the 43 Members present and voting.
The Government is also likely to consider the entry and exit points through Lhamoizingkha and Jomotshangkha as well.
The House also endorsed opening of direct flights between Guwahati to Yongphula, Bumthang and Gelephu.
However, the Government will carry out consultations with relevant stakeholders such as the civil aviation authority and the airlines in this regard.
International tourist numbers to Bhutan are creeping up every year but the majority of travellers visit the well-known areas of Western and Central Bhutan. Eastern Bhutan is opening up, and there is quite a bit that is truly off the beaten track. Take a trip focusing on more remote regions for November, including a short trek in Merak-Sakten and a visit to the ancestral village of the Royal Family. Bhutan is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the Far East and there is much to be explored.
"Bhutan has moved from nothing in terms of communications to the height of social media and information. There is no censorship when it comes to foreign channels and the internet"
A land of smiles: The Bhutan landscape is spectacular, a more or large impressive like Switzerland, and it’s quiet – aside from the dogs barking at night and run after cars and manside. Bhutan has strong traditions and the culture, festivals and way of life style are well preserved and kept harmonies but at the same time we live in the contemporary world.
After completed my 38 years old in this mother land of Shangri-la, "Bhutan has moved from nothing in terms of communications to the height of social media and information. There is no censorship when it comes to foreign channels and the internet. We have 4G almost everywhere, people are on social media, everyone uses WeChat, Facebook and WhatsApp even in rural area made very very very, easy and convenience for offical and their owned personal works and saved for everything.
"I smile a lot in Bhutan, Smile all the time". My country is where my heart is.
World best-ever Eco Tourism friendly Project to watch the Birdwatching place in between Tashigang and Rongthung from the top of tree and also best spot for Lunch place and people's can enjoy natural life experience at the foothills of Himalaya at Bhutan.
On dated 09th January, 2019. With the team of Bhutan First-Ever Economic Census had visited to RANGSHEKHAR GOENPA under Samkhar Gewog in Tashigang Dzongkhag was kept as an great memorable sightseeing and Goenpa which is located on the hill top toward North of Tashigang and 17 km feeder to Goenpa. From the Monastery penaromic view of Sherabtse Collage, Kanglung and Rongthung Village and as well Yonphula Domestic Airport too. As an team works, there were 07 members with 2 cars are deployed and visited to the site.
Rangshekhar Goenpa: Goenpa is located on the hill top of the mountain and it's 17 km from the Pam Village to Rangshekhar Goenpa. Goenpa which was built in 2002 and completed recently, story here begins all about life cycle of Buddha which is similarly to Boudhgaya in India.
Dorji Dema the first female archer competing among men is one of the 18 contenders for the best archer’s title in the on-going Paro open archery tournament.
She made it to the top 18 after hitting 22 kareys, including three bull’s eyes and two dobjeys in the 45 rounds. Her team lost in the quarterfinal.
Hundreds of people came to witness the top 18 archers’ shootout at the Paro archery range yesterday. She managed to hit nine kareysincluding two dobjeys in 15 rounds securing the 8th position. Choki Langkong took the first position after hitting 16 kareys in 15 rounds.
All top 18 archers are those who managed to hit the highest number of kareys in 45 rounds during the league round.
Dorji Dema said she has gained confidence, experience and knowledge about archery, especially in counting the points.
“As we play with different teams and players, it helped me build a network.”
She said that one of the women who never played archery bought a bow and asked her to teach her play archery. Two of her friends have also asked her to inform them if there are any archery matches so that they could form a team and participate.
“I am happy that I have inspired women to play archery,” she said.
Tournament organiser Ugyen Dorji said that, to enter in the top 18, an archer has to hit above 27 kareys in the 45 rounds. “However, Dorji Dema being the only lady, we decided to give her a chance to compete for the title.”
Ugyen Dorji said he has promised to give her a special prize. “The condition I made was the number of kareys she hit in 15 rounds.”
All spectators at the archery range came to witness the female archer competing for the best archer. “More than 30 percent were women and all came to cheer for Dorji Dema,” he said.
This 17th-century Bhutanese monastery is ensconced in Buddhist legend.
Gangteng Gompa.
Gangteng Gompa is a historic monastery in the Black Mountain region of Bhutan. Built in the early 17th century, the monastery was established by Gyalse Rigdzin Pema Thinley, the grandson of the canonized Bhutanese “treasure revealer,” Pema Lingpa. Today, Gangteng Gompa is the largest Nyingmapa monastery in Western Bhutan.
Buddhist mythology recalls the narrative of an ancient guru who hid terma (sacred treasures of Buddhist wisdom) for select terton (treasure finders) to reveal in the future when the time was right. The terma were hidden for their protection so that the terton could transmit Buddha’s teachings through the generations should his knowledge ever be lost or destroyed.
Pema Lingpa, the grandfather of the monastery’s founder, was understood as an incarnation of that ancient guru. Following a series of revelations, he astoundingly unearthed over 100 terma across Bhutan in the mid-1470s. Rendered “King Terton,” Pema Lingpa made a pilgrimage to the imposing Black Mountain range, where he envisaged one of his descendants would build a monastery.
Gangteng Gompa was established in 1613 by Pema Lingpa’s grandson on a spur in the Black Mountains called the Gangteng Sang Nga Chöling, which translates to “summit for the teaching of the dharma.” Local timber was used for the temple’s beams, doors, pillars, and windows. Delep, a guardian deity, supposedly created a landslide in the mountains for better access to stones. A team of community artisans embellished the space with exquisite technicolor detail.
The monastery was restored between 2002 and 2008. Conservators worked to preserve the temple’s original detail with the addition of over 100 new pillars. Upon the temple’s completion, it was re-presented as Gangteng Sangngak Chöling, and consecrated by the ninth Gangtey Trulku, who is considered the current incarnation of Pema Lingpa.
Know Before You Go
On November 12 of each year, Gangteng Gompa hosts a Crane Festival to mark the annual arrival of black-necked cranes from the Tibetan plateau. Hundreds of cranes, which are sacred in the region, return to the monastery to roost, thought to bless the space by circling it three times.
When Land of the Thunder Dragon calls, you answer. Bhutan is definitely on any travelbug's wishlist. Indians are lucky for no visa is required to visit Bhutan and all we need to carry with us is either a passport or a Voter Identity Card. Those who are entering by land are required an Entry Permit which one can get from the border town of Phuentsholing. This Entry permit is valid only for Thimphu, Paro and Phuentsholing. Visitors who wish to explore further can get a Route Permit from the Royal Govt. of Bhutan Immigration Office at Thimpu. DO NOT think of travelling on Saturdays, Sundays and any Govt. holidays because Phuentsholing Immigration Office will remain closed. Phuentsholing is a 4-hour drive from Bagdogra Airport and 3 hour 45 minutes from Siliguri. You can even take a direct bus from Kolkata, run by the Royal Bhutanese Government (daily 7:30am and 1:30pm), to Phuentsholing. Once you reach the border town, there are plenty of local buses that will take you to Thimphu.
Why Visit Bhutan
Why not? Bhutan is popular for its monasteries, beautiful landscapes, culture, traditions and food. A visit to Bhutan is incomplete without a visit to Taktsang monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest.
The much-awaited launch of Six Senses Bhutan offers a new circuit for wellness lovers
Six Senses Hotel in Punakha, Bhutan.
Bhutan has a new pilgrimage of sorts in the circuit of five lodges that Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is set to launch between January and May 2019. The mountain kingdom’s pristine scenery will be matched by the hotel chain’s wellness offerings in Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang.
Chorten Ningpo at Six Senses Hotel in Punakha, Bhutan
Six Senses Thimphu, located within apple orchards and pine groves, is the largest with 20 lodge suites and four villas; doors open by January 1, 2019. Six Senses Punakha—nicknamed the flying farmhouse for its setting amid rice fields—and Six Senses Paro, at the site of 12th-century ruins in a valley, will open by February 15, 2019. The Gangteyproperty, in the winter home of the elegant black-necked cranes, and theBumthang outpost in a pine forest, are the most intimate with eight lodge suites and a villa each, and are slated to launch in May 2019.
Lodge Suite bathroom at Paro, Bhutan.
Each lodge will have a spa and wellness centre and immersive local experiences. The Thimphu lodge has a hot stone bath and its Prayer Pavilion overlooks the valley and the 52m-high Buddha Dordenma statue. Guests at Six Senses Punakha can bicycle down to the revered Punakha Dzong, picnic riverside and dine on paddy terraces. The Gangtey resort has a glassed-in area to observe black-necked cranes swoop into the valley. The Paro property is next-door to a 15th-century monastery, and also has a 17-acre sustainable village adjacent where guests can learn about traditional agriculture practices and pick ingredients for a cooking class. Beekeeping and strawberry picking await at the Bumthang resort. Six Senses Bhutan offers a 14-night journey between all its five properties with visits to palaces, monasteries and breweries.
Six Senses Hotel in Thimpu, Bhutan.Doubles from $1,010/Rs72,870 per night across properties.
Wildlife affects rice production in Bhutan’s Rhadi
TRASHIGANG, Bhutan (Kuensel/ANN) – It’s harvest season in Radhi county, Trashigang, and the rice bowl of the east has turned golden. Group of farmers are seen threshing paddy on blue-orange tarpaulins spread along the terraces.
Dechen from Tongling village is busy storing the grains into sacks and transporting it to her house some 300 metres from the field.
For the 50-year old, this would be the final harvest for the year.
She scans her one-acre field before settling down for a quick break. “This is it. I was expecting the harvest to be the same as last year but it was a difficult year with wild animals including monkeys and porcupines constantly attacking the field.”
She said she harvested some 600 chagdhi (a measuring container) of paddy, which is about 1,200kg of rice last year. “We had a good harvest then. I was expecting a similar produce this year,” she said.
Farmersarmers in Radhi, Trashigang, harvest paddy. – KUENSEL/ANN
However, without a proper irrigation system and the increasing incidences of human-wildlife conflict, the harvest is likely to decrease.
She said farmers have to mostly depend on monsoon during transplantation since most irrigation canals are washed away or have become defunct.
The biggest problem faced by the farmers in the gewog is wild animals.
Another farmer, Sherab Zangmo, said that all their hard work is destroyed by the wild animals at night. “You lose the zeal to work when such things happen,” she said. “But since this is our only means of survival, we don’t have any option but to redo it all over again.”
The 55-year-old farmer said that many villagers have received solar fencing through government support. “The fencing has proven effective. We hope the gewog would provide us too.”
The county agriculture extension supervisor, Pema Wangchen, said human-wildlife conflict in the gewog is increasing.
About 13km of solar fencing works was provided to the gewog this year. “We expect the crop production to further improve next year with the fencing works completed,” he said.
He, however, said the paddy production of the gewog is expected to increase this year. “If not, it should remain the same as last year.”
Pema Wangchen reasoned that because of timely monsoon during the transplanting season, they didn’t face any delay in the transplantation.
According to statistics with the district agriculture sector, Radhi produced 2,553.59MT of rice in 2017-2018 from 1,236.16 acres of wetland. The yield per acre of land was recorded at 2,065.75kg.
Apart from producing one of the largest quantities of rice in the east, Radhi is also known for its different varieties of rice. The county produces some nine varieties of rich of which Sorbang and Sung-sung are popular varieties in the country today.
The Sorbang, meaning lemongrass look-alike rice, also known as Radhi rice, fetches about Nu 65 per kilogramme while the red Sung-Sung rice fetches Nu 70 to 75 per kilogramme.
“Even when it gets cold, the rice is still soft. This is why people, mostly in the west prefer Sorbang rice,” said another farmer. “We receive orders for large quantities but most of the time, we are only self-sufficient.”
Meanwhile, Sherub Zangmo said these are new varieties grown recently in the county.
“The rice native to Radhi was called Aassu and was grown since my great-grandfather’s time,” she said. “Now that rice is no more grown because we have better varieties that grow well. Sorbang and Sung-Sung are the new native rice of Radhi.”
On the 12th anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the people of Bhutan are celebrating and looking back on the start of his “golden reign”.
The King’s coronation had three distinct stages. The first saw His Majesty The Druk Gyalpo receive the same Dar Na-Nga that has been presented to all monarchs of the Wangchuck dynasty from the sacred Machen of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in Punakha Dzong. The second was the official crowning with the “Raven Crown”, and the third was a celebration which lasted three days at Changlingmithang where the people of Bhutan paid homage to their new monarch.
On 7 November 2006, His Majesty made a coronation speech which outlined the plans and foundations on which his reign would grow. He said:
“Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a King. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your children; I have no personal goals other than to fulfil your hopes and aspirations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality.”
Known as ‘The People’s King’, His Majesty The Druk Gyalpo is known for the special bond he shares with his people and is seen as an inspiration, a leader and a man of selfless service.
In an article in Kuensel – Bhutan’s daily newspaper – reporting on the Coronation Day celebrations made clear the admiration the people of Bhutan have for their king, saying: “During the past decade, His Majesty steered the nation with steadfast attention and brilliance as the democratisation process began to unfold unprecedented experiences in the country with changes in the polity, economy and Bhutanese behaviour. With a smooth transition to democratic constitutional monarchy form of government and the three successful general elections, democracy is deepening and the future looks more promising.”
