Have you watched a movie by name Dasvidhaniya ? . According to me, it is one of the best movie on how to approach our life. Last year my friend suggested the same thing, to list down 50 to do things in an year. It just reminded me Vinay Pathak's this beautiful movie which I have mentioned. I started doing the same thing. Last year out of 50 listed activities, I was able to finish 40. This year I listed only 20 because I wanted to focus on our NGO. Lot of things happened. Marriage was unexpected but it took me to Bhutan which I couldn't cover last year.
I always thought that we need to travel to explore, learn and express. It will also help you to understand your strengths, weakness and importance of having a positive attitude towards life. As I travelled little more, I understood it is very important to express. Bhutan is one country where you can learn many things and express those learnings in your life.
Bhutan is very peaceful and travel friendly country. Though it is little expensive , it is a must visit place to get a life under the Himalayas. Unlike my other posts, I would like to concentrate only on things to do in Bhutan, experience and the learnings.
Phuntsholing
There are two ways you can enter into Bhutan from India ; One via road (One option is from Bhagdogra airport take a taxi to Phuntsholing) and another via air (Paro airport) . Jalgaon of West Bengal and Phuntsholing shares the India Bhutan border. You can enjoy drive from Bhagdogra to Phuntsholing. Phuntsholing is one place where we can get a permit to visit places in Bhutan. Indians and Bangladeshis doesn't require passport to visit Bhutan (Voters id is enough). The permit has to be taken for every place you want to visit. If you are not using Bhutanese vehicle you have to get vehicle permit also.
If you are in this city, try to cross the border and enjoy the chats in Jalgaon. For 10 to 20 Rs you get most of the snacks like bhel, momos. Sweets are also very tasty. People are very friendly and can suggest you different kinds of food. I had 7-8 kinds of snacks here. Border will be closed after 10 for vehicles.
There is not much places you can visit here but this place is like a starter for the food. Karbandi monastery is one place you must visit which has beautiful view from the top covering beautiful scenery from both Bhutan and India.
Thimpu
Phuntsholing to Thimpu is 4 hours journey which is scenic and beautiful. This route has more hair pin curves than the western ghats. You can find many waterfalls on the way. Enjoy the scenery and the rain. There is a waterfall similar to Doodh Sagar. (Famous waterfall near Goa-Karnataka border) .
If you want to understand Bhutan's diversity, you must visit capital of Bhutan, Thimpu. The hotel Namseling Boutique had a very good scenic view from our room. We visited 9-10 places in Thimpu but highlight was Buddha point.
Some of the places like Memorial Chorten had entry fees 300 Rs which we thought was little bit expensive. In Bhutan, entry fees for some of the monuments are expensive. That is where some part of your money will be spent.
Buddha statue in Buddha point is one of the biggest statue in the world. The surrounding forest which is conserved by Kuensel Phodrang nature park gives a different dimension to this place. This beautiful place has a temple which consists of more than a lakh Buddha statue. I suggest you to visit this place either in the morning before 10 AM or in between 4 to 6 PM. That is the time it looks more beautiful.
Folk Heritage museum is another good experience because of the people we met. We met a Bangladeshi couple who were accompanied by a guide. The guide explained the folk heritage in detail. Photography was not allowed inside but the pictures are still clear in our mind. Bhutan is one place where there is an opportunity to explore and learn.
One more place you must visit is BBS Tower. If you have time, try to trek to Shukar se which is 45 - 60 min from BBS tower. You can see the royal palace and parliament houses from tower.
Changankha Lakhang is one of the oldest temple in Bhutan. There is Thimpu institute of Zorig Chusum which we couldn't visit. This place is the center for learning Bhutanese traditional art. Motithang Taken Preserve is one more place you must visit. Taken is the national animal of Bhutan. We met another Indian couple with whom we were exchanging our experiences throughout our visit. The boy is from Belgavi and the girl is from Maharashtra. They met while trekking and they are happily married now. For trekkers most romantic date is trekking. That is where Veeru (Belagavi boy) found his love.
Tshering Wangchuk and Bhutan Kitchen
My friend asked me to meet his friend Tshering Wangchuk with whom he has a very good friendship. Tshering is a famous actor in Bhutan who has quit acting and running a travel business. We had a long discussion and he took me to different shops. Then he suggested Bhutan kitchen for tasting Bhutanese traditional food. I must say that is one of the best experience I had with food. Red rice, white rice , soup, salad, ema dashti , Kewa Dashti, roasted ghee and other delicious food. We discussed various topics from trekking to Bengaluru. That was one of the highlight of our Thimpu visit.
Bhutanese food
Kewa datsi and Ewa Datshi with Red rice is a good combination. Here most of the items will have ghee as ingredient. Morning mostly we had Indian breakfast like Puri, Parotha, Corn flakes and Bread Jam.
Pakoda is quite popular as snacks. Momos is also quite popular here. People like pan and tobacco.
Thimpu - Phunaka
Bhutan is more peaceful in Phunaka and Paro region. Most of the beautiful places of Bhutan are in these region.
Dochula Pass
One of the must visit place in Bhutan. Those who want to have kids visit this beautiful temple. You can find the history of this place in the introduction board (below pic).
I have not read anything about this place before going to Bhutan. But this turned out to be a master piece. These kind of places just raises the bar of travelling. This is surrounded by most beautiful valley in Bhutan. This is a place where people visit without expectation and leave reluctantly.
The place has a temple with big statue of Avalokiteshvara (Bodhisattva) and a Nunnery ( a place where nuns live as religious community).
Phunaka Dzong
Dzong is one of the architecture style followed mainly in Tibet and Bhutan. Phunaka Dzong is the second oldest and largest Dzong in Bhutan. This Dzong is built on the confluence of two rivers Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. A guide is must here. Our guide started explaining about it's history and how Dzong is saved from enemies. As per as my understanding Dzong is not only a temple but also will contain the administrative office. This place was capital of Bhutan till 1955 and now it is winter capital.
Till then I was thinking Dalai Lama is the only guru of Buddhists. Dalai Lama is guru of Tibetan Buddhism. For Bhutan there is a separate spiritual leader. I got to know about Padmasambhava who is known as Indian founder of Tibetan Buddhism. In most of the monasteries you will find Padmsambhava along with Buddha. They call him second Buddha. They also believe 4th Buddha is yet to arrive on earth. This Dzong is built on the order of Ngawang Namgyal who is regarded as unifier of Bhutan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Buddhists
What I like most about Dzong is, the architecture. It has different dimensions. The art and the natural colors they use on paintings can take you to different world. The two rivers and the surrounding hills can mesmerize you. This is one of the top 5 must visit place in Bhutan. Don't miss it.
Botanical park
Botanical park is beautiful but it was off season when we went. People say this is very beautiful during summer and attracts more people.
This is not the end to Bhutan's experience. Always the sweetest part we go in detail. Paro is the most beautiful part of Bhutan. I will cover Paro, Chele la pass and some places which I missed in next post.
I would like to bring more flavors from different parts of the world. Bhutan is my first visit outside India. There are many more to come in future. Please keep supporting me like you do. Your feedbacks are most welcome.
I always thought that we need to travel to explore, learn and express. It will also help you to understand your strengths, weakness and importance of having a positive attitude towards life. As I travelled little more, I understood it is very important to express. Bhutan is one country where you can learn many things and express those learnings in your life.
Bhutan is very peaceful and travel friendly country. Though it is little expensive , it is a must visit place to get a life under the Himalayas. Unlike my other posts, I would like to concentrate only on things to do in Bhutan, experience and the learnings.
Phuntsholing
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| On the way to Phuntsoling from Bhagdogra |
 |
| India Bhutan border |
 |
| Small monastery inside the city |
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| View from Karbandi Monastery |
Phuntsholing to Thimpu is 4 hours journey which is scenic and beautiful. This route has more hair pin curves than the western ghats. You can find many waterfalls on the way. Enjoy the scenery and the rain. There is a waterfall similar to Doodh Sagar. (Famous waterfall near Goa-Karnataka border) .
If you want to understand Bhutan's diversity, you must visit capital of Bhutan, Thimpu. The hotel Namseling Boutique had a very good scenic view from our room. We visited 9-10 places in Thimpu but highlight was Buddha point.
 |
| The view from Namseling Boutique, Thimpu |
 |
| Memorial Chorten |
 |
| Buddha Point |
 |
| View from Buddha point |
Folk Heritage museum is another good experience because of the people we met. We met a Bangladeshi couple who were accompanied by a guide. The guide explained the folk heritage in detail. Photography was not allowed inside but the pictures are still clear in our mind. Bhutan is one place where there is an opportunity to explore and learn.
One more place you must visit is BBS Tower. If you have time, try to trek to Shukar se which is 45 - 60 min from BBS tower. You can see the royal palace and parliament houses from tower.
 |
| View from BBS Tower : Royal palace |
Tshering Wangchuk and Bhutan Kitchen
My friend asked me to meet his friend Tshering Wangchuk with whom he has a very good friendship. Tshering is a famous actor in Bhutan who has quit acting and running a travel business. We had a long discussion and he took me to different shops. Then he suggested Bhutan kitchen for tasting Bhutanese traditional food. I must say that is one of the best experience I had with food. Red rice, white rice , soup, salad, ema dashti , Kewa Dashti, roasted ghee and other delicious food. We discussed various topics from trekking to Bengaluru. That was one of the highlight of our Thimpu visit.
Bhutanese food
Kewa datsi and Ewa Datshi with Red rice is a good combination. Here most of the items will have ghee as ingredient. Morning mostly we had Indian breakfast like Puri, Parotha, Corn flakes and Bread Jam.
Pakoda is quite popular as snacks. Momos is also quite popular here. People like pan and tobacco.
Thimpu - Phunaka
Bhutan is more peaceful in Phunaka and Paro region. Most of the beautiful places of Bhutan are in these region.
Dochula Pass
On the way to Phunaka you get this beautiful pass which is at 10200 ft. When snow covered this looks like a different world. We spent nearly an hour in this beautiful place where there are more than 100 memorial chortens.
Chimi Lakhang Fertility temple
Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery
I have not read anything about this place before going to Bhutan. But this turned out to be a master piece. These kind of places just raises the bar of travelling. This is surrounded by most beautiful valley in Bhutan. This is a place where people visit without expectation and leave reluctantly.
The place has a temple with big statue of Avalokiteshvara (Bodhisattva) and a Nunnery ( a place where nuns live as religious community).
Phunaka Dzong
Dzong is one of the architecture style followed mainly in Tibet and Bhutan. Phunaka Dzong is the second oldest and largest Dzong in Bhutan. This Dzong is built on the confluence of two rivers Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. A guide is must here. Our guide started explaining about it's history and how Dzong is saved from enemies. As per as my understanding Dzong is not only a temple but also will contain the administrative office. This place was capital of Bhutan till 1955 and now it is winter capital.
Till then I was thinking Dalai Lama is the only guru of Buddhists. Dalai Lama is guru of Tibetan Buddhism. For Bhutan there is a separate spiritual leader. I got to know about Padmasambhava who is known as Indian founder of Tibetan Buddhism. In most of the monasteries you will find Padmsambhava along with Buddha. They call him second Buddha. They also believe 4th Buddha is yet to arrive on earth. This Dzong is built on the order of Ngawang Namgyal who is regarded as unifier of Bhutan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Buddhists
What I like most about Dzong is, the architecture. It has different dimensions. The art and the natural colors they use on paintings can take you to different world. The two rivers and the surrounding hills can mesmerize you. This is one of the top 5 must visit place in Bhutan. Don't miss it.
Botanical park is beautiful but it was off season when we went. People say this is very beautiful during summer and attracts more people.
This is not the end to Bhutan's experience. Always the sweetest part we go in detail. Paro is the most beautiful part of Bhutan. I will cover Paro, Chele la pass and some places which I missed in next post.
I would like to bring more flavors from different parts of the world. Bhutan is my first visit outside India. There are many more to come in future. Please keep supporting me like you do. Your feedbacks are most welcome.
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