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It is the Kingdom which has given a new value for development- Gross National Happiness. Studies have shown that it has one of most happy people on the planet, just a mere 3% unhappy. The sustainable development that Bhutan has adopted with strong traditions and value has generally helped it obtain this enviable status.
The breathtaking mountains and the tapestry of Buddhist culture make Bhutan unique. Life moves at a leisurely pace in these parts of the world. The Bhutanese name for Bhutan, Druk Yul, means 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'. The landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the Himalayan heights in the north, with some peaks exceeding 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The distinctive, elaborately decorated facades are a memorable sight here. Shopping for traditional handicrafts in the many markets and emporiums is a visitor's delight with exotic papier-mâché masks, prayer wheels, handmade paper and silk or woolen apparel on display. Two must-do sites are the Trashi Chhoe Dzong or the fortress of Glorious Religion, and the Memorial Chorten.
Much of Bhutanese history is lost in legends as most of the evidence in manuscripts or otherwise was lost in a great fir in 10th century. Belief is that the first major event was the arrival of Guru Rinpoche, believed to have brought Mahayana Buddhism from Tibet in the eighth century. Bhutan, the world's last Mahayana Buddhist kingdom, became a coherent political entity around the 17th century and has never been conquered or ruled by another foreign power. The state religion is Vajrayana Buddhism, and the population is predominantly Buddhist, with Hinduism being the second-largest religion. The capital and largest city is Thimphu. After centuries of direct monarchic rule, Bhutan held its first democratic elections in March 2008.
Bhutan is like a picture for you to explore and discover. A visit to this fabled land will ever remain in your memories.
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Liye Laajehun |
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Liye Laajehun is one of the most distinctive of the Maldivian handicrafts. Beautifully crafted boxes, containers and ornamental objects are shaped out of pieces of wood and are lacquered in strands of red, black and yellow resin and delicately carved with flowing flowery patterns. Made from the locally abundant funa seen throughout the country, they come in various shapes and sizes; small pillboxes, vases of various sizes to round and oval plates with lids. |
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