Trip to Pemagatshel
Village of Merak
Merak is one of the remort Gewog in Tashigang Dzongkhag, people are depend on Yaks and Cows, there main income is butter and Cheese. And also people called as Brokpa (Nomadic).
Zethey/Yosha
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Zethey/Yosha from: Merak and Sakten
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Trip to Merak
Dated: 21st August, 2017. Gathered and lunch hosted by local people during the festival.
Trip to Merak
Galing Community Festival
On dated 11/03/2017; Exploring the festival at Galing Gewog in Tashigang, 1st day festival was not that perform well because of shower whole day and end up 2 more days with fine weather.
Venue: Galing Lakhang, even provide meals from the community and no other charges except electric bill Nu. 50 per day.
Cotton Candy Sale at Tashiyangtse
On dated 06/03/2017. Drive from Rangjung to Tashiyangtse to sale the cotton candy with paying 3000.00 to vehicle hire charges and we could sale only for one day another 2 more days could not sale because of electric power, which was under maintenance at Kurichu Dam, Kelikhar, Nangkor and Kanglung. Other point is very low voltage of electric power and couldnot make it in the evening. In the evening of last day we came back to Rangjung in late night with fare of Taxi sum of Nu. 2500.00
First year birth day celebration of Gasey
By Dr. Samdrup
Pema Choden admission to school
GNH Bhutan
Farmer in China
Dawai Chuynipai Losar
Moenlam Chenmo in Samdrup Jongkhar
Royal Bhutan Lottery Limited
Guinness world Record
2nd June, 2015. A team of 100 Volunteers in Bhutan has set a new world record planting 49,672 trees in one hour. The previous record by almost 10,000 trees and it has been set by the Indian team three years ago.
Bhutan's planters gathered in the Capital, Thimphu for their feat, which GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS.
Patang to Gewog Thrizin
On 17th December, 2016 National Day was celebrated in Trongsa, Bhutan. His Majesty The King awarded the Patang to Thrizins. The Patang were granted in recognition of the important role local Government plays in achieving the development goals of the country.
Khenpo Karpo
At 9am on 27th of February, 2017 holy body of Khenpo Karpo Rimpochhe arrived Bhutan from Bangkok by Druk Air.
Daw Chunynipa Losar (New Year)
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park
JIGME DORJI NATIONAL PARK
With an area of 4,349 sq. km,
the Jigme Dorji National Park is the largest protected area in Bhutan. It is
one of the most biologically rich areas in the Eastern Himalayan region, and
stretches from warm broad-leaved forests to remain the permanent ice fields and
glaciers on Bhutan’s north-western border.
The monsoon rains and a varied
topographical gradient, from just over 1,000 meters to more than 7,000 meters
above sea level, account for this rich plant and animal diversity.
Sacred peaks such as Jomolhari,
Tsherimgang and Jichu Drakey are prominent landmarks in the park. Glaciers and
glacial lakes are interspersed in the mountains forming important head waters
for some of Bhutan’s main rivers.
The alpine region houses
numerous flowers such as the national flower blue poppy, edelweiss, orchids and
rhododendrons among many others.
Charismatic animal species like
the Snow Leopard, Takin, Tiger, Black Bear, Blue Sheep and Red Panda inhabit
the forests and mountains of the park. This may be the only place in the world
where the Royal Bengal tiger and snow leopard habitats overlap. Most of
Bhutan’s most popular trekking routes can be found inside the Jigme Dorji
National Park.
TRIP TO OMBHA NYE
 |
| Half way to Ombha Nye |
 |
| 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 8th 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
|
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