Bhutan Travel

Introduction of Bhutan

Geography
Bhutan is a small sovereign kingdom in the Eastern Himalayas between the Tibetan autonomous region of China to the north and the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal to the south. Surrounded by high mountains and deep valleys, the altitude ranges from 300 meters in the south to 7,300 meters in the north. The total land area is 47, 000/- sq. km. It lies between Longitude 88 45' and 92 10' East and Latitude 26 40' and 28 15' North.

Climatic conditions
Bhutan experiences varied climates depending on the altitude. To the south it is hot and humid, while the Himalayan mountains in the north are under perpetual snow. Rainfall can differ within relative short distance due to rain shadow effects.

History
Some stone implements found so far indicate that the country was inhabited as early as 4000 - 500 BC. Throughout its history Bhutan has always existed as an independent entity, within similar natural boundaries to those that exist now. However, it wasn't until the 17th century that Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel arrived in Bhutan (1616 AD) and unified the country. He established a theocracy and set up a dual system of religious and secular government. This system of government came to an end when Gonsar Ugyen Wangchuck, was elected by popular consensus as the first King (Druk Gyalpo) of Bhutan in 1907. Since then there have been four hereditary kings. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck the present king who has ruled since 1972, is the fourth monarch and is well loved and respected by the people. The establishment of the institution of monarchy was the beginning of stability, peace and prosperity for the nation.

People
The country's population of 600, 000 is composed of three main ethnic groups. The Sharchopas, who are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan, live mostly in Eastern Bhutan and they are of Indo-Mongoloid origin. The Ngalops populate mostly Western Bhutan migrated from the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism to Bhutan. The Lhotsampas who are of Nepalese origin settled in the southern foothills of the country in the early twentieth century. This ethnic diversity of the people has resulted in numerous dialects and languages that are spoken throughout the country. Dzongkha is the National language. English is the medium of instruction in schools and is widely spoken.

Religion
The Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all strands of secular life, bringing with it a reverence for the land and its well-being. Annual festivals (tsechus and dromchoes) are spiritual occasions in each district and are dedicated to either Guru Rimpoche or other deities. Throughout Bhutan, stupas and chortens line the roadside commemorating a place where Guru Rimpoche or another Shabdrung may have stopped to meditate. Prayers flags are even more common. Fluttering on longs poles, they maintain constant communication with the heavens. Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism as its official religion. To ensure the perpetuation of Buddhism in the Kingdom, one son from each family normally attends monastic school. While the Dzongs are the centers of administrative and government activities for the entire valley they are predominate the homes and temples of the monastic community.



Glimpse of Bhutan


Trekking in Bhutan