Bhutan
Bhutan: A Land of Happiness and Heritage,
Bhutan is a small country in South Asia, located on the eastern edge of the Himalayas.
It is bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east and west.
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Bhutan is known for its unique culture, rich history, stunning scenery, and peaceful people.
Bhutan is also the only country in the world that measures its progress by Gross National Happiness,
a concept that reflects the holistic well-being of its citizens and the environment.
Bhutan has a population of about 788,000 people, according to the latest United Nations estimates.
The majority of the population follows Buddhism, the official religion of the country, while a minority practices Hinduism and other faiths.
The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, but many other languages and dialects are spoken across the country.
The national currency of Bhutan is the ngultrum (BTN), which is pegged to the Indian rupee (INR).
The international dialing code for Bhutan is +975.
Bhutan has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the 7th century,
when Buddhism was introduced by Guru Rinpoche, who is regarded as the second Buddha.
The country was unified by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the 17th century,
who established the dual system of governance by a spiritual and a temporal leader.
The institution of monarchy began in 1907, when Ugyen Wangchuck became the first king.
Bhutan had limited contact with the outside world until the 20th century, when it faced pressure from neighbouring countries and initiated social and economic reforms.
The country also lost some of its southern territory to the British after a war in 1865.
Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy in 2008, after holding its first general elections.
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Bhutan’s capital and largest city is Thimphu, which is located in the western central part of the country.
Thimphu is home to many government offices, cultural institutions, religious sites, and modern amenities.
Other major cities and towns in Bhutan include Phuntsholing,
the commercial hub and border town with India; Paro, the site of the country’s only international airport
and the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery; Punakha, the former capital and the location of the majestic Punakha Dzong; and Jakar,
the main town of the Bumthang valley, known as the spiritual heartland of Bhutan.
Bhutan’s flag is a yellow and orange diagonal flag with a white dragon in the middle.
The yellow represents the power of the monarchy, and the orange represents the Buddhist religion.
The dragon is a symbol of purity, strength, independence, and the country’s name, which means “Land of the Thunder Dragon” in its native language.
The dragon also holds jewels that signify Bhutan’s wealth and security.
Bhutan is a landlocked country that belongs to the continent of Asia.
It has a total area of 38,394 square kilometers, of which about 72% is covered by forests.
Bhutan has a diverse geography, ranging from the subtropical plains in the south to the alpine peaks in the north.
The highest point in Bhutan is Gangkhar Puensum, which is also the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, at 7,570 meters above sea level.
Bhutan has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
The climate varies according to the altitude, with warm and humid conditions in the lowlands and cold and dry conditions in the highlands.
Bhutan’s economy is largely based on agriculture, forestry, tourism, and hydropower.
Agriculture and forestry provide the main livelihood for more than 60% of the population.
Hydropower is the main source of energy and export revenue, as Bhutan sells surplus electricity to India.
Tourism is another important sector, as Bhutan attracts visitors from around the world with its
pristine nature, cultural heritage, and unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness.
Bhutan’s economic growth has been impressive, averaging 7.5% per year since the 1980s,
driven by the public sector-led hydropower sector and strong performance in services, including tourism.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the delays in hydropower projects have adversely affected the economy, resulting in a contraction of 3.4% in the fiscal year 2021.
Bhutan is a country that offers a lot to see and do for travelers who are looking for a different and authentic experience.
Bhutan has many tourist attractions, ranging from natural wonders to cultural treasures.
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Some of the most popular places to visit in Bhutan are:
1 - Tiger’s Nest:
This is the most iconic and sacred site in Bhutan, located on a cliffside above the Paro valley.
It is a monastery that was built in the 17th century, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated in a cave.
The hike to the monastery takes about 4 hours and offers spectacular views of the valley and the mountains.
2 - Punakha Dzong:
This is the second oldest and second largest dzong (fortress-monastery) in Bhutan, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
It is situated at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, and is renowned for its architecture, art, and history.
It was the seat of the government until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the chief abbot and the central monastic body.
3 - Dochula Pass:
This is a mountain pass that lies between Thimphu and Punakha, at an elevation of 3,140 meters.
It offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan range on a clear day,
and is adorned with 108 chortens (stupas) that were built in 2004 to commemorate the victory of the Bhutanese army over Indian insurgents.
There is also a temple and a cafeteria at the pass.
Phobjikha Valley:
This is a glacial valley in the central part of Bhutan, famous for its scenic beauty and biodiversity.
It is the winter home of the endangered black-necked cranes, which migrate from Tibet every year.
The valley also hosts the annual Black-necked Crane Festival, which celebrates the arrival of the birds and raises awareness about their conservation.
4 - Bumthang Valley:
This is a cluster of four valleys in the central part of Bhutan, known as the spiritual heartland of the country.
It is the birthplace of many prominent Buddhist teachers and saints, and has numerous temples, monasteries, and sacred sites.
Some of the notable attractions in the valley are Jambey Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, and Jakar Dzong.
Bhutan is a country that has preserved its ancient culture and traditions, while embracing modernity and development.
It is a country that values happiness and harmony, over materialism and competition.
It is a country that respects and protects its natural environment, while harnessing its renewable resources.
It is a country that welcomes and fascinates visitors, while maintaining its sovereignty and identity.
Bhutan is a country that is worth exploring and experiencing, for those who seek a different and authentic destination.
Gross National Happiness is a concept that was introduced by the fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in 1972.
He said that Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product,
which is the conventional measure of economic growth and development.
He believed that the happiness and well-being of the people should be the ultimate goal of governance,
and that this should be achieved by balancing material and non-material aspects of life
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Gross National Happiness has four pillars, which are the main areas of focus for the government of Bhutan.
These are:
5 - Good governance:
This means that the government should be transparent, accountable, efficient, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.
It also means that the people should have a voice and participation in the decision-making process,
and that there should be respect for human rights and the rule of law.
6 - Sustainable socio-economic development:
This means that the economic growth and development should be inclusive, equitable, and environmentally friendly.
It also means that the people should have access to basic services such as health, education,
and living standards, and that there should be opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
7 - Preservation and promotion of culture:
This means that the cultural heritage and diversity of Bhutan should be protected and celebrated.
It also means that the people should have a sense of identity, belonging, and pride in their culture,
and that there should be mutual respect and tolerance among different groups.
8 - Environmental conservation:
This means that the natural resources and biodiversity of Bhutan should be conserved and managed sustainably.
It also means that the people should have a harmonious relationship with nature,
and that there should be awareness and action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Gross National Happiness has nine domains, which are the indicators of happiness and well-being in Bhutan.
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These are:
9 - Psychological well-being:
This measures the mental and emotional state of the people, such as their life satisfaction,
positive emotions, negative emotions, spirituality, and resilience.
10 - Health:
This measures the physical condition of the people, such as their morbidity, mortality, disability, nutrition, and health services.
11 - Time use:
This measures how the people spend their time, such as their work hours, leisure hours, sleep hours, and balance between work and leisure.
12 - Education:
This measures the level of knowledge and skills of the people, such as their literacy, numeracy,
educational attainment, values education, and lifelong learning.
13 - Cultural diversity and resilience:
This measures the strength and vitality of the culture of Bhutan, such as its language diversity,
artistic diversity, cultural practices, festivals, customs, and traditions.
14 - Good governance:
This measures the quality and performance of the government of Bhutan, such as its democracy,
political participation, human rights, public services, corruption perception, trust in institutions, and media freedom.
15 - Community vitality:
This measures the social cohesion and support of the people, such as their family relationships,
friendship networks, social capital , safety , charity , community involvement ,and crime .
16 - Ecological diversity and resilience:
This measures the state and management of the environment of Bhutan , such as its forest cover ,
land use , water quality , air quality , wildlife diversity , waste management , environmental awareness ,and climate change adaptation .
17 - Living standards :
This measures the material well - being of the people , such as their income , poverty , inequality , housing , assets ,and household amenities .
Gross National Happiness is calculated by using a multidimensional methodology known as the Alkire-Foster method.
This method assigns weights to each indicator within each domain ,and then aggregates them to obtain a single number index .
The index ranges from 0 to 1 , where 0 means no one is happy ,and 1 means everyone is happy .
The index can also be disaggregated by different groups ,such as gender , age , region ,and occupation .
The index is used to monitor the progress and performance of Bhutan in achieving happiness and well-being for its people .
It is also used to inform policies and programs that aim to enhance happiness and well-being in Bhutan,
Some traditional festivals in Bhutan are:
18 - Paro Tsechu:
This is one of the largest and most famous festivals in Bhutan, held annually in the Paro Valley.
It features masked dances, colorful costumes, and vibrant music, and is a great opportunity to see Bhutanese traditional dances.
It takes place in the spring, and lasts for several days.
19 - Thimphu Tsechu:
This is another major festival in Bhutan, held annually in the capital city of Thimphu.
It also features masked dances, colorful costumes, and vibrant music, and lasts for several days.
It takes place in the fall.
20 - Punakha Drubchen and Tshechu:
These are two festivals that are held consecutively in Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan.
The Drubchen is a re-enactment of the 17th century battle against Tibetan invaders,
while the Tshechu is a religious festival with masked dances and rituals.
They take place in the winter.
21 - Jambay Lhakhang Drup:
This is a festival that is held annually in the Bumthang Valley, considered the spiritual heartland of Bhutan.
It features masked dances, colorful costumes, and vibrant music, as well as a fire ceremony.
It takes place in the fall.
22 - Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu:
This is a festival that is held annually in the Wangdue Phodrang district, known for its ornamental speeches and songs.
It features masked dances, colorful costumes, and vibrant music, as well as a display of a giant thangka (religious painting) on the last day.
It takes place in the fall.
These are just some of the many festivals that celebrate the culture and spirituality of Bhutan.
If you are interested in learning more about them or visiting them, you can check out these
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