BHUTAN

The Land of the Thunder Dragon

“Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product” – His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck

Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon or “Druk Yul” as the native folk call it. If legends are to be believed, the name came into existence because the sound of thunder echoing in the mountains and valleys of Bhutan was believed to be the sound of dragons, and the lightning was believed to be the fire of the dragon.

This landlocked country in south-central Asia is located on the eastern ridges of the mighty Himalayas. The landscape constitutes majorly of valleys separated by complex mountain ridges across the entirety of the country, and linked by a series of passes (“La” in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan).

Imagine clear blue skies, lush green valleys dotted with wildflowers, dense pine forests, snow capped Himalayan peaks. And amidst it all, golden roofed temples and huge magnificent fortress like monasteries, the cold air filled with the chanting and humming by Buddhist monks. Such is the ethereal magical Kingdom of Bhutan. Even with urbanism in place, this touch of modern life in Bhutan has not affected the natives. Religion and culture is deeply ingrained in the roots and in most places one can still experience the charm of rural life at it’s best. Bhutan has so much and more to offer for every kind of tourist and the traveller soul.