Bhutan: A Magical Kingdom
Many people have never heard of Bhutan, the country that values
Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product! Bhutan is
a landlocked little country roughly the size of Switzerland. It
is bounded on the north and northwest by Tibet, with India
touching its remaining borders and Nepal a bit to the west.
Virtually the entire country is mountainous, peaking at
24,777ft. North to south it features three geographic regions;
the high Himalaya of the north, the hills and valleys of the
centre, and the foothills and plains of the south.
For centuries Bhutan has remained isolated from the rest of the
world. Since its doors were opened in 1974, visitors have been
mesmerized by the beautiful and pristine country and the
hospitable and charming people. The best time to visit is
October and November and during major festivals. The climate is
best in autumn, from late September to late November, when skies
are clear and the high mountain peaks are visible. It's not
unusual to experience rain no matter what the season, but I
recommend avoiding the monsoon season, June-August, when buckets
of rain come down.
Buddhism was probably introduced in Bhutan around the 2nd
century although, traditionally, its introduction is credited to
the first visit of Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century. Before that
the people followed a shamanistic tradition called Bon that
still exists today, merged with their Buddhist traditions.
Guru Rinpoche is the most important figure in Bhutan's history,
regarded as the second Buddha. His miraculous powers included
the ability to subdue demons and evil spirits, and he preserved
his teachings and wisdom by concealing them in the form of terma
(hidden treasures) to be found later by enlightened treasure
discoverers known as tertons. One of the best known of these
tertons was Pema Lingpa; the texts and artifacts he found, the
religious dances he composed, and the art he produced, are vital
parts of Bhutan's living heritage.
The largest and most colorful festivals (tsechus) take place at
Bhutan's dzongs and monasteries once a year, in honor of Guru
Rinpoche. Tsechus consist of up to five days of spectacular
pageantry, masked dances and religious allegorical plays. These
festivals play a large part in the Buddhist teachings and are
also social gatherings. The Bhutanese revel and rejoice
together, dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry, in an
infectiously convivial atmosphere where humor and devotion go
hand in hand. These festivals provide an ideal opportunity to
appreciate the essence of the Bhutanese character. The temple of
Jampa Lhakhang hosts one of the kingdom's most spectacular
festivals, the Jampa Lhakhang Drup!
Because Bhutan has no domestic air service, possesses no
helicopters, and does not include an inch of railway track, the
only way to see the place is by foot or by road. This country is
stunning, magnificent, and pictures do not do it justice. A
spiritual journey to Bhutan will change your life. Please
consider joining us in Bhutan!