Bhutan20 Colours of life4

2. Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked country in Asia. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is geopolitically in South Asia. Thimphu is its capital and largest city

3. The Gangteng Monastery gene-rally known as Gangtey Gonpa or Gangtey Monastery, is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition, located in the Wangdue Phodrang District in central Bhutan

4. The Gangteng Monastery 

5. Prayer wheel Monks line up for lunch at the revered Gangteng Monastery

6. Richard Gere in Gangtey Gompa met Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche Masked dancer during Black Neck Crane festival, Gangteng

7. Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche

8. Modern mural painted in the gateway of Gangteng Gonpa monastery

9. Timber frontispieces and the glowering garuda gargoyles

10. The Garuda is a legendary bird or bird-like creature found in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythology

11. The Gangteng Monastery was established in 1613. The monastery complex has five temples that surround the main central tower.  It also houses a school.  

12. Newly renovated, the Gonpa is an imposing sight following a major restora-tion project completed in 2008 to restore it to its former glory

13. Roof Detail Garuda

14. Gangteng Monastery Prayer hall

15. The national flower is the Blue Poppy (Meconopsis Gakyidiana)

16. Smoking in all public places in Bhutan became illegal on 22 February 2005. It thus became the first nation in the world to outlaw this practice outright In Buthan the law prohibits the cultivation, harvest, manufacture, supply, and distribution of tobacco, as well as the manufacture, supply, distribution, sale, and purchase of tobacco products within Bhutan Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness) or Punakha Dzong was constructed in 1637

17. Punakha Dzong is arguably the most beautiful dzong in the country

18. Punakha Dzong cantilever bridge

19. The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese cuisine is its spiciness. Chillis are an essential part of nearly every dish and are considered so important that most Bhutanese people would not enjoy a meal that was not spicy Punakha Dzong cantilever bridge detail

20. Punakha Dzong details

21. Punakha Dzong carving details

22. Tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan.  Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport  Punakha Dzong Detail of artwork on the assembly hall entrance

23. Punakha Dzong prayer wheels

24. Punakha Dzong Maitreya Buddha image

25. Punakha Chimi-Lhakhang was built in 1499

26. Located in a beautiful place, Chimi-Lhakhang temple is known for its power to bless couples with children

27. Chimi Lakhang till date is one of the most visited temples

28. Bhutan does not provide access to tourists to all the sites and small towns. This is their way to keep themselves unspoiled. If you have to go somewhere, you are required to first take permission, sometimes written ones as well as guides with you

29. Chimi-Lhakhang fertility temple

30. The SangchhenDorjiLhuendrupLhakhang is a temple plus nunnery perched on a ridge overlooking Toebesa, Punakha

31. Punakha Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup lhakhang temple

32. The Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery

33. Punakha Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup lhakhang unusual and effective way of moving water from the roof to the ground © DY of jtdytravels

34. Punakha Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup lhakhang

36. Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Punakha Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup lhakhang

38. Vegetables commonly eaten include Spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions and green beans Punakha Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup lhakhang

39. Punakha Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup lhakhang, nuns at their studies

40. Punakha Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup lhakhang nunnery ©Michael Pitt

41. Punakha Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup lhakhang nunnery The Tibetan horn (Dungchen "dharma trumpet")

42. Punakha Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup double-storied temple: The temple on the top floor is dedicated to Tshela Namsum and 21 Taras. The main temple is on the ground floor where the main statue is of Avoloketeshvari or Chenrizig Chagtong Chentong. The main bronze statue of the temple is 4.5m high In front of the main lhakhang is a large square Chorten modeled on the Boudhanath Stupa of Kathmandu, Nepal. The complex also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre for the nuns, where, apart of the religious training, the centre also provides life skills training such as tailoring, statue making and thanka paintings. The nunnery also includes a computer centre.

43. In front of the main lhakhang is a large square Chorten modeled on the Boudhanath Stupa of Kathmandu, Nepal.

44. Punakha Tshechu (festival) honors Padmasambhawa  (lit. "Lotus-Born"), also known as Guru Rinpoche

46. Text & pictures: Internet All  copyrights  belong to their  respective owners Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu https://www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda https://ma-planete.com/michaelasanda 2018 Sound Choeden Menjong; Joenpa Legso (Welcome Dance)