BHUTAN
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Chomolungma
This is a photo of the Himalayas’ most famous summit, Mount Everest. The Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma and translates as "Mother of the Universe" or "Goddess Mother of the Earth.” The most recent measurements of Mount Everest put its elevation at, 29,028 feet above sea level
This photo was taken as we traveled on the airline, Druk Air from Bangladesh into the city of Paro, Bhutan.
This photo was taken as we traveled on the airline, Druk Air from Bangladesh into the city of Paro, Bhutan.
Tiger's Nest
This is a photograph of the “Tiger’s Nest” one of the most holy sites in Bhutan. The Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigeress and then meditated in a cave, contained within the present structure, for three months.
The monastery (goemba in Bhutanese) was built in its present form in 1692. It suffered a devastating fire of unknown origin during the night of April 19, 1998. Speculation is that the fire was caused either by lightening or an overturned butter lamp. Old photographs and diaries were used to make the reconstruction as close to the original as possible, though there was little documentation of the wall paintings and other artwork housed inside.
Special permission is required for non-Bhutanese to visit the monastery, usually granted only to practicing Buddhists on a religious retreat. This photograph was taken from the viewpoint across the valley, the furthest point ordinary tourists can reach before being stopped by a guard.
The monastery (goemba in Bhutanese) was built in its present form in 1692. It suffered a devastating fire of unknown origin during the night of April 19, 1998. Speculation is that the fire was caused either by lightening or an overturned butter lamp. Old photographs and diaries were used to make the reconstruction as close to the original as possible, though there was little documentation of the wall paintings and other artwork housed inside.
Special permission is required for non-Bhutanese to visit the monastery, usually granted only to practicing Buddhists on a religious retreat. This photograph was taken from the viewpoint across the valley, the furthest point ordinary tourists can reach before being stopped by a guard.
Punakha Valley
This is a photo of a Stupa found in a rice field in the Punakha valley below the Chimi Lhakhang which is the Drukpa Kunley's momastery. Drukpa Kunley is also known as the Divine Madman and was well known for his crazy methods of enlightening other beings, mostly women, which earned him the title "The Saint of 5,000 Women". He is also revered for ridding the Punakha valley of evil spirits by spearing them with a giant falace. Artistic Drawing of this unusual weapon can now be found on houses across Bhutan as a way of warding off evil spirits and protecting the home.
The stupa is the latest Buddhist religious monument and was originally only a simple mound of mud or clay to cover supposed relics of the Buddha. Each stupa is considered to be highly auspicious and Buddhist always walk around in a clockwise direction and it is considered bad luck to approach them from any other direction.
The stupa is the latest Buddhist religious monument and was originally only a simple mound of mud or clay to cover supposed relics of the Buddha. Each stupa is considered to be highly auspicious and Buddhist always walk around in a clockwise direction and it is considered bad luck to approach them from any other direction.
Monks on a Bridge
This photo contains monks crossing a bridge on the Pho Chu leaving the Punakha Dzong. This Dzong was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637-38. It is the winter home of Bhutan's Central Monk Body led by the Je Khenpo.
In 1907, the Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck (or Deb Nagpo) as the first King of Bhutan. Three years later, a treaty was signed at Punankha whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs.
Due to its location at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in the Punakha-Wangdue valley, the dzong is vulnerable to flash flooding caused by glacier lakes (GLOF). According to a recent report, flash flood damage to Punakha Dzong occurred in 1957, 1960 and 1994 and in 1987, the dzong was partially destroyed by fire.
In 1907, the Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck (or Deb Nagpo) as the first King of Bhutan. Three years later, a treaty was signed at Punankha whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs.
Due to its location at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in the Punakha-Wangdue valley, the dzong is vulnerable to flash flooding caused by glacier lakes (GLOF). According to a recent report, flash flood damage to Punakha Dzong occurred in 1957, 1960 and 1994 and in 1987, the dzong was partially destroyed by fire.
Dang Chu
This is a photograph of the Dang Chu which runs along the Chuzomsa Resort where we stayed while visiting the Wangdiphodrang Valley in Bhutan. The Wangdiphodrang Valley is centrally located in Bhutan and is nestled below the Dochu La pass which sits at an elevation of 10,000 feet. From here you can view over 200 miles of Himalayan summits. The valley is also home to forests that begin at the top of the pass and descends the 6,000 feet into the Wangdiphodrang Valley. The forest here is home to the Grey Lemur Monkey, the Red Panada as well as the rare snow leopard and even more sparsely scene tiger.
