This tiny landlocked Buddhist nation of 700,000 people is sandwiched between the twin giants of India and China – offers a generous serving of beauty, nature and happiness and a window to its rich culture through architecture: colourful wooden windows, intricate work on roof railings and paintings of tigers, snakes and dragons on the walls of most homes and government buildings.
In the vertiginous mountains of Bhutan, where happiness is akin to holiness, travellers get to delve into an incredible panoply of deities, mythical beings and symbolism. Shrouded in mystery and magic, Bhutan’s traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments.
Behind the whitewashed walls of every Tibetan Buddhist monastery lurks a hidden world of golden sculptures and rainbow-coloured murals. These radiant artworks depict the art of the imagination, at its purest level, in the muted grey and ochre colour scheme of the Himalayan landscape.
About 95% of Bhutan’s people proudly wear traditional dress – the knee-length wraparound gho for men, who pair it with knee-length socks, and kira, the ankle-length dress for women, they imbibe Bhutan’s traditional code of etiquette – “Driglam Namzha”.
From the moment you’re greeted with a warm “Kuzuzangpo” (hello), you feel the deep-rooted hospitality of a people who cherish their customs even as they stay connected to the world beyond their borders.
At this time and age when tourism most often dictates national economics, travel to Bhutan is a refreshing experience. Here, a deeply ingrained sense of hospitality, a universally acknowledged ecosystem and a living culture ensures every traveller the best that any nation has on offer.
Here is a place where modernisation is still protected by traditional values; red chillies dry on the wooden roof, giant protective penises symbols decorate the entrances of many houses and animals and people shares a common roof. Yet while it visibly protects its Buddhist traditions, Bhutan is not a museum. You will find the Bhutanese well educated, fun loving and well informed about the world around them. It’s this blending of the ancient and modern that makes Bhutan endlessly fascinating.
It is a place where smiles are abundant, and strangers become friends over supper and where humanity is valued more than money.
Like a Bhutanese local says, “In our most beautiful places, we build temples and monasteries, and everybody goes there. In your most beautiful places, you build five-star resorts, and only the very rich go there.” With that attitude it’s no surprise Bhutan’s one of the happiest nations in the world!
Licensed by Royal Government of Bhutan and managed by seasoned tourism professionals, Bhutan DMC endeavours to provide memorable and authentic travel experiences by genuinely adopting sustainable, responsible and quality tourism practices. With trust, reliability and creativity as its maxim and mission, Bhutan DMC is committed to offer its esteemed guests a unique and unforgettable sojourn in Bhutan – The Land of Happiness.
Flat 10 Building number 64, Babesa, opposite to Honda showroom, Thimphu
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(Venture of Walk To Himalayas www.walktohimalayas.com)
