| Many people have never heard of Bhutan, the | | | | exists today, merged with their Buddhist |
| country that values Gross National Happiness | | | | traditions. |
| over Gross National Product! Bhutan is a | | | | |
| landlocked little country roughly the size of | | | | Guru Rinpoche is the most important figure in |
| Switzerland. It is bounded on the north and | | | | Bhutan's history, regarded as the second |
| northwest by Tibet, with India touching its | | | | Buddha. His miraculous powers included the |
| remaining borders and Nepal a bit to the | | | | ability to subdue demons and evil spirits, |
| west. Virtually the entire country is | | | | and he preserved his teachings and wisdom by |
| mountainous, peaking at 24,777ft. North to | | | | concealing them in the form of terma (hidden |
| south it features three geographic regions; | | | | treasures) to be found later by enlightened |
| the high Himalaya of the north, the hills and | | | | treasure discoverers known as tertons. One of |
| valleys of the centre, and the foothills and | | | | the best known of these tertons was Pema |
| plains of the south. | | | | Lingpa; the texts and artifacts he found, the |
| | | | religious dances he composed, and the art he |
| For centuries Bhutan has remained isolated | | | | produced, are vital parts of Bhutan's living |
| from the rest of the world. Since its doors | | | | heritage. |
| were opened in 1974, visitors have been | | | | |
| mesmerized by the beautiful and pristine | | | | The largest and most colorful festivals |
| country and the hospitable and charming | | | | (tsechus) take place at Bhutan's dzongs and |
| people. The best time to visit is October and | | | | monasteries once a year, in honor of Guru |
| November and during major festivals. The | | | | Rinpoche. Tsechus consist of up to five days |
| climate is best in autumn, from late | | | | of spectacular pageantry, masked dances and |
| September to late November, when skies are | | | | religious allegorical plays. These festivals |
| clear and the high mountain peaks are | | | | play a large part in the Buddhist teachings |
| visible. It's not unusual to experience rain | | | | and are also social gatherings. The Bhutanese |
| no matter what the season, but I recommend | | | | revel and rejoice together, dressed in their |
| avoiding the monsoon season, June-August, | | | | finest clothes and jewelry, in an |
| when buckets of rain come down. | | | | infectiously convivial atmosphere where humor |
| | | | and devotion go hand in hand. These festivals |
| Buddhism was probably introduced in Bhutan | | | | provide an ideal opportunity to appreciate |
| around the 2nd century although, | | | | the essence of the Bhutanese character. The |
| traditionally, its introduction is credited | | | | temple of Jampa Lhakhang hosts one of the |
| to the first visit of Guru Rinpoche in the | | | | kingdom's most spectacular festivals, the |
| 8th century. Before that the people followed | | | | Jampa Lhakhang Drup! |
| a shamanistic tradition called Bon that still | | | | |