#Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck

[galactic-empress]

Happy 115th National Day Bhutan!

Their Majesties the Druk Gyalpo and Druk Gyaltsuen and their two sons, Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel and Gyalsey Ugyen

The Gyalsey (future Sixth King) and Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck

Queen Jetsun Pema and Gyalsey Ugyen

The Fourth and Fifth King, three Queen Mothers Dorji Wangmo, Tshering Pem and Sangay Choden, and Queen Jetsun Pema, around a statue of the First King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck who was crowned on 17 December 1907.

The Gyalsey

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Fifth Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan

Ashi Kesang Choden and Ashi Euphelma Choden Wangchuck

Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck and her two sons, Dasho Jigme Ugyen and Dasho Jamyang Singye

[tookmehere]

Bhutan in August: A Journey Through the Land of Serenity

One of the highlights of this month is the breathtaking Dochula Pass in Bhutan, offering panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks shrouded in mist and the enchanting beauty of 108 chortens, which are stupas built in memory of Bhutanese soldiers. Bhutan in August is a magical experience, characterized by lush landscapes, vibrant festivals, and serene spiritual sites.

August is the tail end of the monsoon season in Bhutan, which means the landscapes are verdant, and the air is fresh and clean. The rains, though tapering off, still provide a cooling respite and a picturesque setting for the traveler's journey. This time of year is ideal for those who wish to witness Bhutan in its most natural and undisturbed state. The valleys are covered in a blanket of green, and the rivers swell with monsoon rains, creating mesmerizing sights and sounds.

The Beauty of Dochula Pass

Located at an elevation of 3,100 meters, Dochula Pass is a significant tourist attraction in Bhutan. As one drives through the pass, the view of the 108 chortens against the backdrop of towering Himalayan ranges is a sight to behold. These chortens, known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens, were built by Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to honor Bhutanese soldiers who perished in the 2003 battle against Indian insurgents. The pass also features the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, a temple built to celebrate the victory and to showcase Bhutan's military strength.

Visiting Dochula Pass in Bhutan in August means you might encounter misty conditions, adding an ethereal quality to the experience. The play of light and shadow, the drifting clouds, and the occasional clear skies offering glimpses of the snow-clad peaks make it a photographer's paradise. Moreover, the tranquility of the pass provides a perfect setting for meditation and reflection, making it a spiritually enriching stop on your Bhutan journey.

Festivals and Cultural Vibrance

August in Bhutan is also a time when several festivals, or "tshechus," take place. These festivals are a significant aspect of Bhutanese culture, involving vibrant dances, music, and elaborate costumes. Attending a tshechu offers a unique insight into the spiritual and communal life of the Bhutanese people. The masked dances, or cham dances, are particularly mesmerizing, depicting stories of Buddhism and historical events.

The most notable festival in August is the Matsutake Festival in Ura, Bumthang. This festival celebrates the harvest of Matsutake mushrooms, which are a delicacy in Bhutan. The festival is not only about enjoying the mushrooms but also includes traditional music, dance performances, and the opportunity to experience rural life in Bhutan. It is a perfect time to interact with locals, understand their customs, and enjoy authentic Bhutanese hospitality.

Trekking and Outdoor Activities

For adventure enthusiasts, Bhutan in August offers numerous opportunities for trekking and exploring the outdoors. The rain-washed trails are surrounded by lush vegetation, wildflowers in full bloom, and the chance to spot wildlife. Popular trekking routes such as the Druk Path, Jomolhari Trek, and Snowman Trek become more challenging due to the slippery conditions but are equally rewarding.

One of the most famous treks that you can embark on is the trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, or Paro Taktsang. Although the trek can be undertaken throughout the year, the misty conditions in August add a mystical aura to the experience. The monastery, perched on the edge of a cliff, offers breathtaking views and a deep sense of serenity.

Practical Tips for Traveling in August

Traveling to Bhutan in August requires some preparation due to the monsoon season. Here are a few tips to ensure a comfortable journey:

Clothing: Pack waterproof clothing, sturdy trekking shoes, and warm layers as temperatures can vary, especially in the higher altitudes.

Health: Ensure you have necessary medications and insect repellent as the monsoon season can bring about an increase in mosquitoes.

Transportation: Roads can be slippery due to rain, so it’s advisable to hire experienced local drivers.

Permits: Bhutan requires tourists to obtain a visa and book their trip through a licensed tour operator. Ensure all your permits and bookings are in order before arrival.

In conclusion, experiencing Bhutan in August offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and spiritual depth. From the misty heights of Dochula Pass in Bhutan to the vibrant festivals and serene monasteries, every moment spent in this Himalayan kingdom is bound to be memorable.

[do-easy-art]

Ringing in the new year at the Western Buddhist Temple 寺方西 in Hong Kong with the royal family of Bhutan: Princess Ashi Sonam Dechen Wangchuck, Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo, and Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck! Prince Jigme practices his Mandarin studiously every day so that he can read masterworks of Buddhist texts. During this special meeting, Prince Jigme rung the oldest and largest bell of the monastery, chanted sections of the Heart Sutra with the head monk, sat for tea, then had lunch with notable monks of the monastery. Warm wishes for peace, love, and gratitude were meditated upon for all of humanity.

[davidbraun]

National Geographic in Bhutan: Dochula Pass

DOCHULA PASS, Bhutan–On top of a high pass through the Himalayas (10,171 feet), on the road from Thimphu to Punakha, looking down on clouds, is a concentration of 108 chortens built in memory of Bhutanese soldiers killed in the 2003 war against insurgents from India. Each stupa contains sacred icons and texts, linking heaven with earth.

Bhutan’s Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, commissioned the monument after King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was victorious in the struggle to dislodge rebels using Bhutan as a base to raid India.

Gangkhar Puensum (24,740 feet), said to be the highest unclimbed mountain on Earth, can be seen from Dochula Pass. On the far side of that peak lies Tibet.

The National Geographic Committee for Research and Exploration, in Bhutan to meet with grantees, was briefed by the King, government officials and environment groups. Our delegation also observed science, exploration, and conservation in the field, passing through Dochula while traveling back and forth between Bhutan’s modern and ancient capitals.

Originally published December 1, 2014

Photos by David Max Braun

#Himalayas #Bhutan #exploration #Dochula Pass

[angelmartino090-blog]

A Mothers Unconditional Passion.

Thimphu, Aug 26 (IANS) Bhutan's http://israelbechtel7.Soup.io/ Queen Mommy, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, showered approval on late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at a manual launch listed below on Sunday, pertaining to her as a woman of terrific tenacity which had an appealing personality. They help make fantastic gifts for brand-new Mommies, also, as they're often willing to add captions to photographes of their baby's first adventures. Thus if our experts consider the 3 Great lightings once again our team view at the bottom the Noah's ark, which is in the Old Testament, thus this would be actually the grow older of the Father. Several collection agencies happily pay out top buck to have their miniature figurine bedrooms emphasized with tiny little bit of comforters. I never ever heard him complain-although I once found him wail, wishing that his mommy was actually still active. Thus, when the motion picture appeared through Netflix, I saw to it to put this atop my DVD checklist as well as wound up seeing that with her last night. The innocent kid confessed this issue to the principal in their elementary school that resulted in the arrest from the mama. Like more than 130,000 other children birthed in the United States in the last many years, Brayden entered the planet addicteded to drugs - a dependency acquired from a mommy fighting addiction.

That was actually an excellent trait, but that required an enormous volume from eye-hand control. It was not long before the great noble problem had actually become my greatest internal experience. As a child brought up in hardship, she had hired rickets at an early stage. She could walk, certainly not really swift and in a great deal of discomfort, but these were her legs as well as she decideded not to permit them be actually cut off. Our company could take the Thanksgiving holiday Time as a good possibility to show our these sensation to our adored mama. This gift is actually best for customized Mom's Time gifts for either a brand new Mama or even your own Mother with names from you as well as your sibling( s).

3 age groups of one family celebrate on the exact same day after infant is born on same day as her mom as well as terrific grandfather. Reassuring the mama dog that she is performing fine and also she is in a safe place aids her to return to the tightenings. My mommy my partner since he was actually the inappropriate faith and also older than I am. When I relocated with him, she tracked our company, classmating in his home windows. She is accepted for recording vibrant pictures of the sufferings during the course of the Great Depression and also her contributions to the growth from documentary photography. They are terrific for maintaining much smaller things included in a prize, for quick and easy gain access to. Produce all of them think that passion you had for each other and you are going to possess an effective mama eulogy. The following days the Lady and the sister complied with each other right away and also she talked with her as a Mama to her child.

[accuhunt]

Inspiring Women I Met in Bhutan – and What Happiness Means to Them.

The Bhutan happiness index has intrigued me for a long time. So I tried to figure out what happiness means to its people.

Is this indescribable feeling happiness? I wondered as my partner and I hiked through the blue pine forests of Bhutan’s Haa Valley. Up gentle hills we walked, alive with the scent of rain from the night before. Prayer flags fluttered in the wind. White and pink wildflowers dotted the landscape.

I had landed up in Bhutan last autumn to speak about my book at the Mountain Echoes Literary Festival. And found myself immediately drawn to the old world charm, neighbourhood forests, mountains, traditional architecture, people, food and slow life of the capital city Thimphu.

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Perhaps like everyone else, I���ve been intrigued and fascinated by the idea of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness. Is Bhutan really the happiest country in the world, I found myself wondering. Will I be able to glean the secret to happiness while I’m there?

Over nearly a month of traversing the magical beauty of Bhutan, I ended up meeting local writers, entrepreneurs, travellers, farmers, thinkers and dreamers. Some were fleeting encounters, some easy friendships. To some, I couldn’t help but pose the question, what is happiness anyway?

As we stay home and introspect about life during this global lockdown, I’m finding solace in their answers:

Happiness is having a purpose in life (and the Bhutan happiness index is not a literal measure)

Bhutan happiness index – a development indicator, not a literal measure.

I was in complete awe of Sonam Pelden – a Forbes 30 under 30 tech entrepreneur – as she spoke about Bhutan’s evolving digital landscape at Mountain Echoes. I felt her enthusiasm for the digital world back when I worked in Singapore, but perhaps I’ve lost some of it to cynicism along the way.

Chatting with her though, I first learnt how Bhutan actually calculates its Gross National Happiness Index (GNH). Unlike popular perception, the GNH is not a literal measure of happiness or even emotional contentment. It assesses changes in 33 indicators through surveys with randomly selected households. Parameters include psychological well-being, education, health, governance, ecological resilience and standard of living. This ultimately gives a glimpse of whether people are moving from the “unhappy” end of the spectrum towards the “deeply happy” end. But more than that, it helps create a development road-map targeting low-performing parameters.

Sonam says candidly, “The narrative put forth by popular media propagates the notion of a naïve blissful nation – albeit enticing – where tribes of smiling people are constantly gripped in song and dance. This is a dangerous half-fiction which needs to be fought on all fronts. It incubates anti-intellectualism and a sense of entitlement, and perhaps even more troublesomely, manages to distort how Bhutanese people perceive themselves. There is so much more than smiling and dancing to Gross National Happiness – and we need to push that forward!”

Personally for her, “the pursuit of happiness means the pursuit of usefulness. Ultimately being useful and having a purpose in life – i.e adding value to my community and to myself makes me feel more fulfilled, more alive – all the things we associate happiness with.”

On the other hand, “being happy implies permanence – it implies you have completed all your prerequisites and now you get to sit atop your giant pile of happy forever. You have retired from the everyday roller coaster of emotions to simply revel in your happiness.

And this is why I have a problem with Bhutan being dubbed as the happiest place on earth.”

Also read: Unexpected Friendships in the Dominican Republic

Happiness is a mindset

With Tashi, chatting about Bhutan, happiness and life.

“I’m too smart to be sitting at home,” Tashi said, only half joking. She aced her studies, but life had different plans for her. Back in the early 90s, much like in India, women in Bhutan were expected to marry early, as per the wishes of their parents.

But that didn’t stop her from becoming an entrepreneur. She refurbished her 80-year-old house in the remote Ura village of Bumthang Valley and opened it up to travellers seeking a taste of rural life. That’s how we met.

As a passionate and forward-thinking farmer, she was chosen among a handful to travel to Austria and learn from organic farmers across the country! When she returned, they even helped her build a stone oven to practice bread making – the only one of its kind in all of Bhutan. In her cosy kitchen, we gathered one night to drink homemade ara – a fermented (and potent) local rice brew. Chatting about life in Bumthang and her adventures in Austria, I couldn’t help but wonder what she made of happiness.

“To me, happiness is something we set our minds to. No matter how hard life gets, it is about being able to take it easy, think in positive ways, and just feel satisfied with what we have,” she explained.

Indeed, it’s easy to complain about the cards we’ve been dealt by life. But perhaps the only way to pursue happiness is to choose how we play the hand.

Also read: What the Village Folk of Kumaon Taught Me About Life

Happiness is seeking inspiration on the road

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At the Mountain Echoes festival, I was delighted to share the stage with Tshering Denkar – Bhutan’s first solo female traveller and travel blogger. Her passion to get off the beaten track in Bhutan, hitchhike to remote parts of the country, connect with indigenous communities and bring their stories to the world is infectious.

We ended up hiking in the forests of Thimphu together. And that’s when I learnt that she was invited to meet His Majesty The Fifth King of Bhutan after he read her blog! He commended her for her fearless travels and curiosity about her own land. Indeed, her blog inspired us to travel all the way to Haa Valley. And her stories of the remote eastern corners of Bhutan make me long to return to the country.

“Happiness to me is Bhutan’s offbeat trails and unexplored places. It is seeing how people in far-flung regions, even without basic necessities, seem content with their lives. It is about becoming a part of other cultures and traditions on my sojourns. Happiness to me is Bhutan itself,” says Denkar.

As a fellow traveller, I think I get it. Being on the road often makes me feel close to the illusive, inexplicable feeling of happiness.

Also read: Meet the Courageous Indian Woman Who Travels the World Solo – On a Wheelchair!

Happiness is an inside job

Hiking up to the famous Paro Taktsang.

As a vegan traveller, I was amazed to learn that Bhutan has no slaughterhouses! Consciously harming sentient beings is considered out of line with the Buddhist principle of compassion. Ironically though, Bhutan imports meat from India…

The quest to understand Bhutan’s complex relationship with animals led me to Yangso. The pioneer of Bhutan’s small but passionate vegan movement and founder of the country’s first vegan club. Through her, I discovered vegan-friendly local brands and connected with other Bhutanese vegans. We ended up hosting a meetup in Thimphu and swapped stories of vegan, eco-friendly and minimalist living. Her passionate advocacy for animal rights in a country whose national dish is ema datshi (cheese and chillies), left me inspired. So I had to ask Yangso what happiness meant to her.

“Happiness to me is an inside job. I maybe in the most peaceful and happiest country in the world, but to me happiness is a state of mind. It is embracing the present moment. It is acceptance. It is patience. It is knowing that my existence matters,” she said.

That inside job is not always easy. But I know for a fact that to the billions of animals suffering out there, her existence matters. And hopefully, her patience will pay off.

Also read: On Life and Contentment: A Conversation With Buddhist Monks in Thailand

Happiness is giving back

With Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother. Wish I’d asked her the Bhutan happiness question!

At the end of our panel, Denkar, Pem C (the founder of Bhutan’s first lifestyle magazine) and I had the great honour of being invited to chat with Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. I would only later learn how rare that honour was!

For someone who inspires so much awe and respect among the Bhutanese, I was surprised to hear her open up about her youthful adventures before she embarked on a different journey as one of the Queens to the visionary Fourth King of Bhutan. I didn’t get the opportunity to ask her about happiness, but her eyes lit up as she spoke about her foundation, Tarayana.

She travelled across Bhutan, to far-flung villages, trying to grasp the challenges of rural living. And set up the Tarayana Foundation to support sustainable development and vocational livelihoods on the remote countryside. Green technologies are at the core of these projects – including micro hydro power projects in off-grid villages, bio sand water filtration, dry composting toilets and solar dryers for food preservation.

It sounds to me like happiness might just be about making a difference in the lives of those less privileged than us, in whatever way we can.

What do you think of the Bhutan happiness index? What does happiness mean to you?

PIN me!

The post Inspiring Women I Met in Bhutan – and What Happiness Means to Them. appeared first on The Shooting Star.

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[roomthily]

(via #JLFBoulder 2016: Treasures of the Dragon Kingdom - YouTube)

Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in conversation with Namita Gokhale

[galactic-empress]

My Bhutan trip!!!!

Thimphu

National Memorial Chorten - built in memory of His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

National Institute for Traditional Medicine

Buddha Dordenma Statue “Buddha Point”

Jungshi Paper factory

Tashichho Dzong – seat of government since 1955, the throne room and offices of the King

           Gangtey & Trongsa & Bumthang

Phobjikha Valley - Black Necked Cranes

Dochula Pass – built by HM Queen Mother Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck

Gangtey Monastery - Nyingma 

           Trongsa & Bumthang 

Pele La Pass

Trongsa Dzong

Ta Dzong - Watchtower and National Museum of Bhutan (raven crowns and royal memorabilia)

Yotong La Pass

Jakar Dzong - founded by Ngagi Wangchuck, great-grandfather of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal

Jambey Lhakhang - built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gyampo 

Kurjey Lhakhang - Guru Rinpoche’s body print, remains of first three Kings

Tamshing Geomba - established by Pema Lingpa - Nyingma - kora

Swiss Farm 

Membartsho “Burning Lake” holy site (sacred treasures revealed by Pema Lingpa)

Punakha

Chimi Lhakhang Monastery - The Fertility Temple blessed by Lama Drukpa Kunley "The Divine Madman", & Sopsokha traditional village

Punakha Dzong – royal wedding 2011, coronation of the first Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck, residence of Zhung Dratshang (Central Monk Body), capital from 1637-1907, first national assembly in 1953

Po Chhu Longest Suspension Bridge

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten – built by HM Queen Mother Gyalyum Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck

Gasa - Laya

2-3hr drive to Gasa, 2-3hr drive to Koina, walk 12 miles to farmhouse at Laya

Royal Highland Festival (good chance of seeing the King and Queen!!!)

Thimphu

Folk Heritage Museum 

Simply Bhutan

Weekend market, Norzin Lam Street shopping, hopefully buy a lavender Kira

National Institute for Zorig Chusum – 13 traditional arts of Bhutan

Royal Academy of Performing Arts RAPA – folk music, Cham, Zhungdra or Boedra performances, Dzongkha music 

Royal Textile Academy 

Motithang Takin Preserve

National Library 

Handicrafts Emporium

Simtokha Dzong

Dechen Phodrang Monastery

Ludrong Memorial Garden

Paro

Rinpung Dzong – Drukpa-Kagyu 

Nyamai Zam - Covered bridge

Kyichu Lhakhang - built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gyampo

Paro Taktsang Monastery “Tiger’s Nest”

Chencho Farm Weaving House