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Land Of The Thunder Dragon

Bhutan

Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is a small kingdom roughly the size of Switzerland and fondly referred to as Druk Yul meaning "Land of the Thunder Dragon."  The society is closely knit and draws its values from Buddhist teachings of love and compassion. It is for this reason that Bhutan is able to enjoy serenity over the decades. Bhutanese are a unique race of people, their identity enhanced by the years of self-imposed isolation.

 The kingdom of Bhutan is an exotic land of high mountains and lush valleys, snow-clad peaks and running springs, a pristine ecology and incredible wealth of flora & fauna. Making a trip to Bhutan with humble respect is an opportunity to experience a Himalayan Buddhist culture.

Legend of Bhutan

The early inhabitants of Bhutan were dates back as early as 2000 BC according to Archaeological evidence. Buddhism was probably introduced in the 2nd century although traditionally its introduction is credited to the first visit of Guru Rimpoche in the 8th century. He flourished the Tantric strain of the Mahayana Buddhism practiced in Bhutan. His eight manifestations are worshipped throughout the kingdom as second Buddha and wherever he visited in the country is today a pilgrimages sight highly revered by Bhutanese.

Bhutan was not unified under a central authority until the sixteenth century. However the numerous religious presences in the country and noble families ruled in different valleys throughout Bhutan, quarrelling among them. This changed in 1616 with the arrival of Ngawang Namgyal from Tibet. He implemented the Drukpa Kagyu religion throughout the region and soon established himself as the religious ruler of Bhutan with the title Zhabdrung Rimpoche. He repelled attacks from rival lamas and Tibetan forces and transformed the southern valleys into a unified country called Druk-Yul (Land of the Thunder Dragon). His political system lasted until beginning of 20th century and the Zhabdrung's era ended in 1705 was followed by 200 years of internal conflict and political infighting. 

Instability lasted until 1907 when Ugyen Wangchuck was elected, by a unanimous vote of Bhutan's chiefs and principal lamas, as hereditary ruler of Bhutan. Thus, the first king was crowned and the Wangchuck dynasty began. Over the following four decades, he and his heir, King Jigme Wangchuck, brought the entire country under the monarchy's direct control.

During the reign of the third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Bhutan opened its door to the outside world after an age long isolation .Bhutan became the member of United Nations. It was our neighbor India who strongly backed our country for the admission. During his period Bhutan developed many diplomatic ties with many countries. He abolished the age long slaverism prevailing in the country and started modern education. The third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck is known as the "father of modern Bhutan".

The fourth monarch, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, has continued the policy of controlled development with particular focus on the preservation of the environment and Bhutan's unique culture. Among his ideas, the economic self-reliance has now become widely known as "Gross National Happiness". His coronation on 2nd June 1974 was the first time the international media were allowed to enter the Kingdom, and marked Bhutan's debut appearance on the world stage. The first group of paying tourists arrived later that year. In 1999, television and Internet were first introduced to Bhutan. 

• People

Bhutan has an ancient culture with a strong Tibetan influence and traditions have remained unchanged for centuries. The Bhutanese are very friendly and hospitable people. The large majority of Bhutanese people are homogeneous group divided linguistically into three broad sub-groups. These are Sharchops (people from east), Ngalops (people from west) and Lhotshampas (people from south) and often speak some English. Because of the isolation of many communities, there are many different dialects, dress codes and customs, which make a visit even more fascinating. A benevolent and forward thinking monarchy is determined to maintain these long held traditions and also offer its people free education and health services. National dress and a national code of building are enshrined in the constitution and traditional practices are encouraged wherever possible.

• Language

The official language of Bhutan is 'Dzongkha'. It is widely spoken in the kingdom. Lhotshamkha is also a major language widely spoken by the people of southern Bhutan who are of Nepalese origin. Tsangla or Sharchopkha is another major dialect spoken by the people from eastern Bhutan. There are also many local dialects used in many regions of Bhutan. Drukpas are composed of three main ethnic groups that are Ngalops, Sharchops and Lhotshampas. Ngalops the first group originally from Tibet who are the followers of Buddhism and settled mostly in the western & central Bhutan. Sharchops are the second group who immigrated from northern Burma & northeast India and settled in eastern Bhutan. Lhotshampas are the third group migrated to Bhutan from Nepal in the early 20th century for agricultural land and work. They live predominantly in the southern plains.

•       Religion

Bhutan is a deeply spiritual country where the values of the people are strongly influenced by religious customs. Common among these, three marks of faith that shape the Bhutanese personality are "the Power of Prayer, Building Spiritual Infrastructure and Not Taking Life". Moreover, the Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the culture, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all stands of secular life, bringing with it a reverence for the land and its well-being. Throughout Bhutan, Stupas line the roadside commemorating a place were Guru Rimpoche, Zhabdrung, Drukpa Kuenley "Divine Mad-man" and many other renowned Tibetan saints may have stopped for meditated and turn up into a pilgrimages. It also said to symbolically represents the mind of Buddha and serve to remind people of the possibility of and path to enlightenment. Besides, they ward off evil spirits and protect travelers and residents from imminent danger. Prayer flags are even more common fluttering on long poles which maintain constant communication with the heavens. Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism as its official religion. 

 Topography of Bhutan

The kingdom of Bhutan lies east of Nepal and west of Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is south of the Tibetan hinterland and north of the Indian territories Assam and West Bengal. Located in the heart of the high Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan is a land locked country surrounded by mountains in the north and west. The rugged east-west by few western travelers, borders the spare and largely unknown Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh. The high Himalayas in the northern steppes separate the kingdom from Tibet. The population of 734,340 is made up primarily of indigenous Bhutanese. The lower southern regions are inhabited by migrate Nepalese who have been granted Bhutanese nationality. Most of them are agricultural workers who take advantage of the fertile southern land. Altitude in the south range from 1000 to 4500 feet and the altitude in the more populated central regions range from 4,000 feet in the east around Trashigang to a high of 17,000 feet over the highest pass. The altitude at Thimphu, the capital, is 7700 feet. A high Mountain range separates the lowlands of the south from the central valleys.

 

• Natural Heritage

Nowhere in the Himalayas, is the natural heritage more rich and varied than in Peaceful Dragon. According to legend, the Kingdom known as Lhojong Menjong meaning "the southern valley of Medicinal Herbs", a name that still applies today. The country's rich flora and fauna is the result of its unique geographic location in the eastern Himalayas, within an area that extends through both Indo-Himalayan (oriental) and the Pale-arctic biographic regions. Its annual rainfall, which is significantly higher than in the central and western Himalayas, and its considerable altitudinal variation from 200 meters in the south to over 7500 meters in the north, which is accompanied by dramatic climatic changes.

Because of deep traditional reverence, which the Bhutanese have for nature, the kingdom is one of the leading countries in environmental preservation. More than 73% of the area is still under forest cover. Many parts of the country, which have been declared as wildlife reserves, are the natural habitats of rare species of both flora and fauna. Opened for tourism in 1974, after the Royal coronation of the fourth king, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Bhutan is perhaps the world's most exclusive tourist destination.

The country manages to retain all the charm of the old world. Like timeless images of the past, the travelers encounter the full glory of the ancient land through its strategic monastic fortresses known as Dzongs. A numerous ancient temple, monasteries and stupas which dot the countryside, prayer flags which flutter along the high ridges, wild animals which abound in dense forests, foamy white waterfalls which are ethereal showers, and the warm smile of the people. Each moment is special as one discovers a country, which people have chosen to preserve in its magical purity.

•    Flora and Fauna

Dense jungle growth is characteristic at altitudes below 1500 m (5000 ft). Above that height the mountain slopes are covered with forest, including beech, ash, birch, maple, cypress, and yew. At 2400 - 2700 m (8000 - 9000 ft) are forests of oak and rhododendron. Above this level, firs and pines grow to the timberline. Primulas, poppies (including the rare blue variety), magnolias, and orchids abound.

The relative abundance of wild animals attributed to the Buddhist reluctance to take life. In the lower parts of southern Bhutan, mammals include the cheetah, goral, sambar, bear, and rhinoceros; in the higher regions are snow deer, musk deer, and barking deer. Game birds include pheasants, partridges, pigeons, and quail.

• Seasons

Bhutan enjoys four seasons each having its advantages and disadvantages to the visitors. The southern plains close to the Indian border are warmer and more tropical than higher central valleys.
Spring is a botanist's delight as rhododendrons, wild azaleas and masses of wild flowers including the edelweiss cover the meadows like carpet. The various blossoms add a dainty touch to the valleys as their pink and white blooms add a sense of new wonder to the land that is about to burst with abundant growth again. The merry pink and white of cosmos flower dot the countryside. Summer is an abundant time of the year as flowers are in bloom and the valleys are covered in green, weeping willows sweep the banks of many of the rivers and the pinecones glisten in the sun, so full with resin they are ready to plummet to the ground. The months in the southern region are generally hot whereas in other parts of the country it is warm and pleasant with average maximum temperatures not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and the minimum at around 10-15 degrees Celsius. Autumn casts a bright golden landscape and is one of the more crowded times of the year for tourism to Bhutan. Beginning of December the weather takes on its winter coat where days remain crisp and the nights turn cold. The southern regions however being much lower have a more temperate climate and considerably warmer winters. Soft tufts of cloud drape lazily over mountaintops as if waiting for new life to blow it across the landscape.

•         Climate

Because of the irregular terrain, the climate varies greatly from place to place. In the outer foothills adjoining the Indian plains, rainfall ranges from about 150 cm to 300 cm (60-120 in) a year; the forests are hot and steaming in the rainy season, while the higher hills are cold, wet, and misty. Violent Himalayan thunderstorms gave rise to Bhutan's name, Druk-Yul, means "Land of the Thunder Dragon." Rainfall is moderate in the central belt of flat valleys (which have an elevation of 1100-3000 mtrs). The uplands and high valleys (above 3,700 mtrs) are relatively dry. There is less rainfall in eastern Bhutan. In general, the mountainous areas are cold most of the year. Temperatures there average 4°C (39°F) in January and 17°C (63°F) in July.

HAVE A GOOD READING!!!

   

About the Author

Sangay Choxang, Managing Director, Asian Adventure Travel, Thimphu: Bhutan, Contact:sangaystar@yahoo.com

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