Bhutan

A cloth shop owner feeds her cat on the counter of her shop in Bhutan. The woman carries a baby on her back like other local Buddhists.

hills · ceremony

A forest of prayer flags in the high mountains, blowing prayers and wishes of the Buddhist people across the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan! Taktsang Palphug Monastery (also known as Tiger's Nest), a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site an…

dance · hills

This is the visual representation of the Ging (emanations) of Guru Rinpoche subduing the Jyungpo Nyulema (obstacles to the Dharma) demons through their clairvoyance.

river

Walking near a stream and waterfall where we got bitten by sandflies, we saw this silverstripe on a patch of moist soil. It appears to be mud-puddling and was seen en route to Bumthang in Bhutan.

School children file in, Bhutanese mandala paintings are created and Bhutanese from all parts of the country attend the 25th year celebration of the enthronement of the King.

ceremony · crafts

Prayer flags are an integral part of Bhutanese landscape and also the cultural and religious heritage of the country especially the textile and weaving craft.

Young Bhutanese monks distribute juice to devotees, who visit Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang, Bhutan.

A top shot of the Chukkha / Chukha Dam in South-west Bhutan, which is the largest producer of hydel power in the Himalayan country. The roaring waters can be heard flowing through the four spillway gates of the dam.

hills · temple

Dochula pass is located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range.

hills · temple

Paro Taktsang is the popular name of Taktsang Palphug Monastery (also known as Tiger's Nest), a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex, located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley, in Bhutan.

dance

Dancers, wearing long brocade robes and ornate black hats, perform this dance. The dancers' who represent the Ging wear shorter robes with masks. This dance is performed to purify the ground and to chase away evil influences.

crafts

Womens' Kiras and other Bhutanese jewellry and handicrafts for sale at a market in Bhutan. The kira is the national dress for women in Bhutan. It is an ankle-length dress consisting of a rectangular piece of woven fabric.

hills · river

Drukair Airbus lands at Paro International Airport in Bhutan. Drukair Corporation Limited, operating as Drukair — Royal Bhutan Airlines, is the national airline of the Kingdom of Bhutan, headquartered in the western dzongkhag of Paro.

temple · hills

Paro Taktsang is the popular name of Taktsang Palphug Monastery (also known as Tiger's Nest), a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex, located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley, in Bhutan.

hills

The last thing you want to do is to be caught in the middle of this unstable slope in the midst of a deadly landslide like Himalayan rockfall!! Each of those huge boulder thudding down would weigh several times the weight of a large SUV! La…

flowers

Rhododendron arboreum, also known as burans or gurans, is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a showy display of bright red flowers. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

river · hills

Aerial view of Jomolhari peak in Bhutan & Kanchenjunga range peaks of Sikkim & Nepal. Jomolhari or Chomolhari sometimes known as "the bride of Kangchenjunga”, is a mountain in the Himalayas, straddling the border between Yadong County of Ti…

river

Drukair ATR 42 propellor plane lands at Paro International Airport in Bhutan. Drukair Corporation Limited, operating as Drukair — Royal Bhutan Airlines, is the national airline of the Kingdom of Bhutan, headquartered in the western dzongkha…

temple · festival

During the Tsechu festival Bhutanese people offer obeisance in front of the Thongdrel seeking blessings. A Thongdrel (alt. throngdrel) is a large tapestry unveiled during tsechus (religious festivals) in Bhutan.

fort

The Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong appears wonderful during night when its surrounding is lit by flooding light as much as it appears majestic during day. The majestic view of Rinpung and Ta Dzong enhances the beauty of pristine Paro Valley.

hills

The caterpillar-fungus of the Himalaya is also sourced from Lunana and Gasa (of the hot springs fame!) in Bhutan. See these bottles of Highland Cordyceps in bottles of Ara, a local alcoholic brew being sold in Paro bazaar.

bazaar · crafts

A series of traditional bamboo huts, aligned neatly below Norzin Lam, right opposite the Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre is the Authentic Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar which showcases a wide range of authentic Bhutanese Arts and Crafts.

highway

Driving on the signal free roads of Thimphu, the capital and largest city of Bhutan. Driving towards Paro on a congestion-free bypass road in Thimphu.