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Thimpu
The capital city of Thimphu lies in the broad
fertile valley of the Wang Chu river at an
altitude of 7,500 ft. Once a rustic village,
Thimphu today has a population of over 34,000
people. At the entrance to the valley, seven
kilometers from the capital, on a breezy hill
top rises Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's most ancient
fortress. Built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in
1627, it was the country's first official centre
of social and religious education. A striking
example of the preservation of ancient skill in
Bhutan is Tashichho Dzong (" Fortress of the
Glorious Religion"), standing in the valley
alongsile the river bank, surrounded by groves
of fresh young willows and poplars and an
ornamental garden of roses.
Another landmark that rises above the shingles
and more recently constructed green-weathered
roofs of Thimphu, is the gold topped Stupa built
in memory of the Late King, Jigme Dorji
Wangchuck, popularly known as the Father of
modern Bhutan
Punakha
The road from Simtokha winds into pine forests
and through small villages for 20 kilometers and
then opens miraculously onto the northern ridge
of the mountains of the mountains. Dochula Pass
at 10,500 feet gives one of the most spectacular
views of the Himalayas.
Punakha Dzong is home to the Central Monk Body
and the Je Khenpo (the spiritual leader) during
the winter months. Punakha's climate and warm
temperature makes the valley one of the most
fertile in Bhutan. Chime Lhakhang located on a
hillock among the rice fields is picturesque and
is a pilgrimage site for childless couples. The
temple is associated with the famous saint
Drukpa Kuenlay who has built a chorten on the
site.
Punakha served as a capital of Bhutan till 1955.
In spite of four catastrophic fires and an
earthquake that destroyed many historical
documents, Punakha Dzong houses sacred artifacts
and the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyel. The Dzong is one of the most
spectacular dzongs in the country situated at
the confluence of two rivers.
Paro
Paro Airport, the only airport in Bhutan is
located in Paro. This valley is one of the most
populated areas in the country. The valley
contains a wealth of attractions and requires a
few days to be properly explored. The elegant
and perfectly symmetrical Rinpung Dzong looks
after the religious and secular activities in
the valley. Behind Rinpung Dzong, on a high
hillside is the castle shaped Ta Dzong - a watch
tower built in 1651 to defend Bhutan from
Tibetan invasions. This Dzong houses the
National Museum since 1967.
Eighteen kilometers from the town is the burnt
ruins of Drugyel Dzong (victorious fortress)
from where Tibetan invasions were repelled. On a
clear day one can get a view of Mount
Chhomolhari - the Mountain of Goddess (Alt
24,000ft). Paro is also a paradise for
pilgrimages as it is the first stop of Guru
Padma Sambhava also known as Guru Rimpoche on
his crusade from Tibet to Bhutan in the 8th
century. He is believed to have arrived on a
back of a tigress and mediated at the Taktsang
Monastery, now a hallowed shrine for Bhutanese
pilgrims. A terrible fire in 1998 destroyed the
medieval wall paintings and all the inner
temples. The temple is now under reconstruction.
Bumthang
The valleys of Trongsa and Bumthang are
separated by Yutola Pass (Alt 11,500ft) .
Bumthang has an individuality that separates it
from all other regions. Composed of four smaller
valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang
is shrouded in religious legend.
Apart from the Dzong at Jakar smaller
monasteries are situated all over the valley.
Tales of Guru Padma Sambhava dominate these holy
shrines. The valley is home to the sacred Jampa
and Kurjey monasteries. Bumthang is also the
traditional home to the great Buddhist teacher
Pema Lingpa to
whom, the present monarchy traces it ancestral
lineage. The town of Jakar is the largest
between Thimphu in the west and Trashigang in
the east. Jakar is famous for its honey, cheese,
apples and apricots. Bumthang is also famous for
yathra which is a unique material woven from
coarse sheep wool, intricately designed and
colored to form breathtaking patterns. Bumthang
Tsechu (festival) along with the Paro and
Thimphu Tsechu are the most popular festivals in
Bhutan.
Wangdue Phodrang
This is the last town on the highway before
entering Central Bhutan. Sitting on the top of a
hill the formidable Dzong is the town's most
visible features. In the 17th century Wangdue
played a critical role in unifying western,
central and southern Bhutan. The town itself is
little more than an enlarged village with
well-provided shops and hotels.
The road from Wangdue to Trongsa is one of the
prettiest in Bhutan passing streams, forests and
villages before climbing the Pelela Pass on the
Black Mountain ranges in to the Trongsa valley.
South of the highway is the Gangtey Gompa an old
monastery dating from the 17th century. A few
kilometers past the Gompa is the village of
Phobjikha - one of the winter homes of the Black
Necked Cranes who migrate to Bhutan from Central
Asia to pass the winters in lower climes |
