The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked country in Asia, and it is the smallest state located entirely within the Himalaya mountain range. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it is bordered by China and India. Bhutan is a democracy and constitutional monarchy. The Bhutanese monarchy was founded in 1907. It held its first democratic elections in 2008. Bhutanese call their home “Druk Yul,” which means “the Land of the Thunder Dragons,” because of the extremely powerful storms which constantly roar in from the Himalayas. Bhutan is the only country to outlaw tobacco and Plastic bags have been banned since 1999.

Paro, Taktsang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest)

Paro, Taktsang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest)

Paro, National Museum, Ta Dzong

Paro Dzong (aka Rinpung Dzong)

Thimphu, Buddha Dordenma

Paro, bridge, dzong and Ta Dzong

Punakha Dzong

Dochu La Pass, 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens

Chendebji Chorten

Phobjikha Valley, Gangteng Monastery

Around Jakar, Jambay Lhakhang

Lhuntse Dzong

Lhuntse Dzong

Tashi Yangtse, dzong

Tashi Yangtse, Chorten Kora

Tashigang Dzong, practising for a tshechu

Jakar tshechu, school girls washing their sins away

Jakar tshechu, thongdrel unfurling

Jakar tshechu, Guru Tshengye, atsara, Loden Chogse manifestation

Jakar tshechu, Guru Tshengye, Nyima Oezer manifestation

Jakar tshechu, Guru Tshengye, Guru Senge Dradog manifestation

credit: Arian Zwegers

Taktshang Goemba or Tiger’s Nest Monastery was blessed and sanctified as one of Bhutan’s most sacred religious sites. It hangs on a cliff and stands above a beautiful forest of blue pine and rhododendrons. Taktsang Monastery was built in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye. Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye is believed to be the reincarnation of Padmasambhava. Legend believes that Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet, on back of a tigress.

credit:  Göran Höglund

credit:  Göran Höglund

credit: thomaswanhoff

credit: travelinknu

credit: travelinknu

credit: travelinknu

credit: travelinknu

credit:  taxidesign

credit:  taxidesign