A picturesque kingdom called Bhutan rests happily in the lap of the mighty eastern side of the Himalayas at an elevation of about 7000 meters above sea level. The land earlier known as Druk Yul meaning the land of the thunder dragon is landlocked amidst China on the north and India on all other sides. It was christened ‘Bhutan’ in the later half of the 19th century. The term Bhutan is derived from the Sanskrit word which means ‘Where Tibet Ends’ and is also known as the Last Shangri-La, for its virgin terrains and the unique cultural heritage. Kula Kangri at 7,553 meters is the highest peak of the land, trekking is ideally done in March-May and then around November. Gankhar Puensum is considered exemplary for having been the highest unclimbed peak in the world.
This mystical land reverberates with the devotional chants of Buddhism with holy prayer flags suspended over the roadsides and highways whipping fast against the wind. The land is known to be amongst the least developed of nations but then it is on one of the top ranking if measured on the scale of happiness index. The isolated kingdom consciously guards its invaluable traditions and distinctive culture from being hampered by the foreign influences. Mahayana Buddhism is the state sponsored religion with Hindus being on the list of next populous in this rugged mountainous land. Religion and spiritualism shapes the lives of the inhabitants of this divine land visited by pilgrims, holy men, saints and scholars alike since times immemorial in search of truth, happiness, wisdom and solitude.
The section of Himalayas harboring the present day Bhutan is a biologists’ paradise for it is a home to the varied endemic as well as exotic species of notable flora and fauna that find shelter in this exclusive mountainous kingdom. The place has been identified and included amongst the five ‘hot spots’ of bio-diversity spread worldwide. The multiple forms of extremely awe-inspiring and simply beautiful orchids dangle here and there, serpentine vines, lush green and moist terrain are a common here. Animals like snow leopard, golden langur, blue sheep, water buffalo, tigers, elephants, takin and the varied birdlife are typical of the land.
Through many sources say the land of Bhutan has been known to have existed since 2000 BC. However most of the chronological historical records housed in Punakha, the ancient capital is known to have got damaged by fire that ravaged the city in 1827. This is the reason many of the transcribed events of the ancient as well as the medieval times are eliminated. One of the earliest documented worthwhile incidents that require mention is the visit of the Buddhist holy saint Guru Rinpoche in 747 AD. The political history of the kingdom of Bhutan synchronizes with its religious history. A number of wars were fought for supremacy between the warlords of Tibetan origin and so did the number of sub sects of Buddhism which flourish and popped up from time to time depending upon the dominant power until the emergence of the Drukpa sub sect in the late sixteenth century. The land had been much in control by the Mongols from time to time. The land was unified in the seventeenth century by the Tibetan lama and military supreme Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and given it a religious character. The erection of Ugyen Wangchuk unanimously as the new monarch in 1907 was the surfacing of the Wangchuk dynasty which till date is the ruling monarchy of this mountainous country. The dynasty is popular and much revered for its democratic and proactive attitude for its people.
Approximately 18,000 visitors are allowed to visit the country, a step consciously taken to preserve the national identity. The most favorable month is from June-October. Bhutan remains ever cherished in the memories of the visitors for its pure natural beauty and distinctive architecture with colorful wooden and brick structures built on Buddhist lines. One is disarmed in to the hospitality of its innocent and charming population still untouched from the hush of so called modern world.
Rosy Vohra works for buy books India You can contact her at rosy_vohra@rediffmail.com
