The Kingdom of Bhutan. The capital Thimphu.

Friends! Once again I want to distract you from gavnopolitiki, and plunge into a fairy tale. It's great when the planet has a quiet, calm and most importantly magically beautiful places.

Bhutanese call their country Druk Tsend that means the country Thunder Dragon, another epithet - Eternal Throne lotus, which symbolizes steadfastness Mahayana teachings. After the annexation of Sikkim India and the overthrow of King Gyanendra of Nepal, Bhutan became the last monarchical state in the Himalayas. Still exists Raja Mustang, but in 2008 he abdicated.

29 photos.





Thiphu is the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is located in a quiet and cozy place on the west bank of the river Wang Chu at an altitude of 2400 m.
For a long time Bhutan and its capital were vassals of Tibet in the future - under the control of the British authorities. Since 1949, Bhutan was under the tutelage of India. Obtained independence in 1971. The capital of Bhutan - a small town. Its population is only 100 thousand. Man. In Thimphu residence of the King, the National Assembly.

The fact that the capital of the population does not exceed 100,000 noticeably quiet on the movement of vehicles.

Capital retains the appearance of the Middle Ages. An introduction to modern civilization - an inevitable process, but the residents keep their traditions and customs. It attracts the flow of tourists into the country. Tourism in recent years become a significant source of revenue in the budget of Bhutan. In the capital in recent years, there are many small hotels, restaurants, bars and shops.



On the development of Thimphu influenced specificity Bhutanese way of life. The city grew from Thimphu Dzong - a huge monastery-fortress. Dzong were recorded in Bhutan from Tibet. Architectural style dzongs peculiar: it structures with inclined toward the center of the walls of the building are in the shape of a truncated pyramid. In Bhutan, the dzong acquired gigantic proportions, they are surrounded by high walls and can accommodate several thousand people. In the past, in case of danger all the surrounding population refuge in the near dzong. Each fortress located on a hill overlooking a vast panorama. Dzong is a fortification with many secret passages, thick walls and massive towers. Over time, there were around dzongs settlements.



Memorial Chorten in Thimphu - buddisky monastery on Dobum Lam in the south-central part of Thimphu near the Indian military hospital. Chorten built in 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. This chorten is very willingly visit Bhutanese and tourists, it is one of the main attractions of the city. In 2008, the chorten was renovated and expanded. He is considered the most prominent religious site in Bhutan. He was consecrated Dudjom Rinpoche.



Unlike other chortens, it contains the remains of the king, there is a picture of the past king in ceremonial dress in the hall on the first floor. The construction of this Chorten corresponds to the will of the king, who wanted to build a spatial representation of the Buddha consciousness

Chorten is visited by pilgrims, as it is believed that the Third King of Bhutan has a special sanctity and miraculous properties.



The main occupation of the elderly Bhutanese is the recitation of mantras, doing this they can spend practically all your spare time.

It is assumed here that the children cared for in every way old men and what they did not need.



Or quietly communicate with each other.



Buddha Dordenma statue - a great giant statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, built in Bhutan in 2010. Its name translates as "Beat brilliant lightning." Inside the statue is a temple with 25 thousand 30-inch and 100-inch 20 thousand Buddha statues. All of them, as well as the main statue was made of bronze and generously covered with gold.



Landmark Buddha Dordenma statue is located in the ruins of the old palace Sherab Wangchuk on top of a high mountain Changri Kensel Phodrang. From here you'll get a beautiful view of the southern and western outskirts of the city of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Initially, the construction of the main parts of the statue was completed in December 2009, after the Buddhist monks started this latest milestone.



Construction continues to this day. A lot of guest workers from a number of countries, and especially with India.



In the mountains around Thimphu is the monastery, the largest in Bhutan. It works Institute of Astrology. Famous monastery and the fact that it was filmed the movie "Little Buddha».



Well, we'll take a walk with the locals



Roll the drum ... think about eternity.



Pricked in their children.



Monastery Trashi-Cho Dzong, which is considered the pride of the whole country and a source of spiritual knowledge. No wonder his name means "fortress blessed religion" - all the people of the country belong to the monastery with an unusual love and respect, considering it a center of wisdom and living in his llamas - the best people of the state.
Now, the monastery is located, and the royal residence, and the palace of the High Lama, easy to get here, and I unfortunately failed.
By the way, I'm sure more than one of you reading this will not find photos of the king's residence. And it is here ... there is a stone in the garden of our "King»;)



In Thimphu has a Royal School of Art, with the school masters out rasznyh kinds of seamstresses to the sculptor, let's walk the corridors of the school.



In this picture, the class engaged in wood carving.



And then the teacher shows a master class to their students.



Work painstaking, note the number of instruments.



Here we see a novice sculptor.



Training schedule, what school or university do without him? And can not schedule ... I am not strong in the language :)



In this class, more than fine work.



Painting class just is not idle.



Generally painting allocated a number of classes can be seen that this art form carte blanche.



Laborious this business ...



Class seamstresses.



Students working tool.



I liked the classes with p-shaped arrangement of desks.



Well, while I go back to the streets of the capital. Giving one last look and advanced to the sides of the pass dochu la height of 3116 m, but that's another story, which I will discuss in the next time.

Happy viewing. If you are interested in this story, so please read the rest of this trip.

Bhutan. Paro Valley

Bhutan. Nest of the Tigress



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