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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 along sile 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 |
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Punakha |
Bhutan is a landlocked country. It is
about 47,000 kilometres - roughly the size of
Switzerland. It is located between Tibet in the north,
Indian states of West Bengal and Assam in the south, and
Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
Bhutan has three major land regions. The Great Himalayan
region in the north rises more than 4300 m (14,000 ft)
along the Tibetan border.
This area is uninhabited except for a few scattered
settlements in the high valleys. The Great Himalayas
radiate southward into central Bhutan, creating the
Middle Himalayan zone. |
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Paro |
Till well into the 17th Century, Bhutan
was split up into small independent principalities.
After the arrival of Buddhism, during the seventh
century, the various Buddhist schools began sharing the
power in the country with the old aristocratic families.
The cleric Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel united the
independent principalities into one state. After his
death the theocracy disintegrated and the provincial
lords fought to gain control over the central power.
Only the establishment of the monarchy in 1907 brought
peace again. Today the fourth King of Bhutan is leading
his country into modern times. |
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Bumthang |
Till well into the 17th Century, Bhutan
was split up into small independent principalities.
After the arrival of Buddhism, during the seventh
century, the various Buddhist schools began sharing the
power in the country with the old aristocratic families.
The cleric Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel united the
independent principalities into one state. After his
death the theocracy disintegrated and the provincial
lords fought to gain control over the central power.
Only the establishment of the monarchy in 1907 brought
peace again. Today the fourth King of Bhutan is leading
his country into modern times. |
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Wangdue Phodrang |
Bhutan is the last bastion of the
Mahayana form of Buddhism in the world today. It was in
the 8th century AD that Guru Padma Sambhava introduced
Buddhism to the country. Subsequently this was
promulgated by various other religious figures who
visited Bhutan. The dominant sect that came to be
established in the country was the Drukpa Kargyu sect of
Mahayana Buddhism, which is now the official religion of
Bhutan.
The Bhutanese are very pious people and religion plays
an important part of their daily lives. Prayer flags
fluttering in the wind, chortens (stupas), monasteries
and twirling prayer wheels are a very common sight.
Religion permeates all strands of secular life and this
has brought about a reverence for the land and its
well-being. Religious festivals known as 'Tsechus' and 'Dromchoes'
symbolizing amity, peace and compassion, are held
annually at various parts of the kingdom at different
times of the year. These colorful festivals are a time
for the people from various walks of life to congregate
dressed in all their finery. The most popular festivals
are Paro Tsechu (March/April), Thimphu Tsechu
(September/October) and in Bumthang (October). During
the festival, rare and sacred masked dances, sword
dances and many rituals are performed. |
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