2nd April 2013
Previous posts:
Today, we would leave Thimphu and head to Punakha which is
75 km away. It would normally take 3 hours to cover this distance but we need
to visit few places on the way. Our guide gives his extra SIM that would ease
the process of making calls to Home. ISD booths are fewer in number and calling
from Hotel is expensive. And it is not easy to buy SIM card for non Bhutanese
people (Update: It looks like the information I had was wrong. It is possible to get a SIM card by producing a copy of passport and entry permit). So this extra SIM would help as
Bhutan has extensive cell coverage and the call rates from cell phone are nominal.
75 km away. It would normally take 3 hours to cover this distance but we need
to visit few places on the way. Our guide gives his extra SIM that would ease
the process of making calls to Home. ISD booths are fewer in number and calling
from Hotel is expensive. And it is not easy to buy SIM card for non Bhutanese
people (Update: It looks like the information I had was wrong. It is possible to get a SIM card by producing a copy of passport and entry permit). So this extra SIM would help as
Bhutan has extensive cell coverage and the call rates from cell phone are nominal.
At the outskirts of Thimphu, we see Simtokha Dzong on the
other side of the River. Constructed in 1629 by Zhabdrung, it is the oldest
Dzong in Bhutan. Zhabdrung is known as the unifier of Bhutan.
other side of the River. Constructed in 1629 by Zhabdrung, it is the oldest
Dzong in Bhutan. Zhabdrung is known as the unifier of Bhutan.
The road from Thimphu meanders round the hills to climb to
Dochula which is about 10,000 feet. At the top of the pass are 108 stupas built
by the Queen Mother of the current king (5th King).
Dochula which is about 10,000 feet. At the top of the pass are 108 stupas built
by the Queen Mother of the current king (5th King).
On a clear day, we could have seen the highest peaks of
Eastern Himalayas. But we were not fortunate enough to feast it as the pass was
covered by mist. A small consolation was that we would be coming back on the
same way and hoped for a better weather (that never happened!!).
Eastern Himalayas. But we were not fortunate enough to feast it as the pass was
covered by mist. A small consolation was that we would be coming back on the
same way and hoped for a better weather (that never happened!!).
There is a story behind these 108 Stupas. Few terrorist
organizations of North Eastern India had put up their camps in Southern Bhutan.
Bhutan Government efforts to move them out peacefully went in vain. With
pressure building up from India, Bhutan Government had little choice. In
December 2003, Bhutan Army conducted operations resulting in destruction of all
terrorist camps. Hundreds of terrorists were killed in the operation. These
stupas were built in memory of its victory in 2003 military operations.
organizations of North Eastern India had put up their camps in Southern Bhutan.
Bhutan Government efforts to move them out peacefully went in vain. With
pressure building up from India, Bhutan Government had little choice. In
December 2003, Bhutan Army conducted operations resulting in destruction of all
terrorist camps. Hundreds of terrorists were killed in the operation. These
stupas were built in memory of its victory in 2003 military operations.
The road from Dochula continuously winds down to Punakha
valley situated at about 4000 feet. The area was dry and thanks to hot weather
the extra layers that we had put on at Dochila were removed.
valley situated at about 4000 feet. The area was dry and thanks to hot weather
the extra layers that we had put on at Dochila were removed.
As we get down to the valley, we see a River to our left. On
a hillock next to the River was Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery from 15th
century. To reach the Lhakhang, we had to walk for about 30 minutes along
agricultural fields. The monastery was established by Buddhist saint Drukpa
Kunley. More popularly known as “Divine madman”, he adopted crazy methods of
teaching which included sexual overtones. It is hard to understand his way of
working but looks like he had lot of influence during those days!!
a hillock next to the River was Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery from 15th
century. To reach the Lhakhang, we had to walk for about 30 minutes along
agricultural fields. The monastery was established by Buddhist saint Drukpa
Kunley. More popularly known as “Divine madman”, he adopted crazy methods of
teaching which included sexual overtones. It is hard to understand his way of
working but looks like he had lot of influence during those days!!
It is said that he subdued a demon of Dochula and trapped it
in a rock. The rock is kept in the monastery.
in a rock. The rock is kept in the monastery.
After lunch at a nearby restaurant, we left to Punakha
Dzong. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and the Dzong was an
important administrative center.
Dzong. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and the Dzong was an
important administrative center.
It is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Pho Chu
rivers.
rivers.
Bridge across the river to connect to the Dzong.
Like in any Dzong, Punakha Dzong is also divided into
administrative and religious sections.
All Dzongs and monasteries in Bhutan maintain dress code. Bhutanese
people must be in their traditional dresses. Tourists are required to wear
collared shirts and full length pants or skirts.
administrative and religious sections.
All Dzongs and monasteries in Bhutan maintain dress code. Bhutanese
people must be in their traditional dresses. Tourists are required to wear
collared shirts and full length pants or skirts.
While coming out of Dzong, a lady from security section
asked whether I could exchange my INR with Bhutanese currency. She was planning
to visit Kolkata and was collecting Indian currency. Though both currencies are
equally valued, one might have to pay commission to exchange currency. I
obliged to her request and exchanged some money.
asked whether I could exchange my INR with Bhutanese currency. She was planning
to visit Kolkata and was collecting Indian currency. Though both currencies are
equally valued, one might have to pay commission to exchange currency. I
obliged to her request and exchanged some money.
Our hotel was at Wangdue, few km from Punakha. As we neared
the town, we could see the ruins of Wangdue Dzong. It was burnt down by an
accidental fire a year ago. Efforts are on to restore the Dzong. When we look at the history of Bhutan, there
are frequent incidents of fire accidents.
the town, we could see the ruins of Wangdue Dzong. It was burnt down by an
accidental fire a year ago. Efforts are on to restore the Dzong. When we look at the history of Bhutan, there
are frequent incidents of fire accidents.
Our stay was at Puna cottages situated next to the River
overlooking new Wangdue town.
overlooking new Wangdue town.
Arun
Getting a SIM in Bhutan is a simple affair. Bring a copy of your passport, fill up a small form and you have a working phone in 10 minutes. Completely painless process.
Aravind GJ
Arun,
Cool!!
R Niranjan Das
Wonderful post. Loved the photos.
http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Kanthi
Nice article, but wrong info about getting the Sim card. Its indeed very easy process. A copy of passport and entry permit should be sufficient to get the Sim.
Aravind GJ
Niranjan,
Thanks.
Kanthi,
I have updated post with information about SIM card.
Team G Square
Lovely pictures .
Anu
Great info and pictures! I've never had Bhutan in my Bucket list so far, but seeing pictures, and what a hassle free country that it is, makes me want to visit this place!
John Cena
I have visited so may countries but never ever thought about visiting Bhutan. But now i am going to add this place in my to do list. Recently i went to St. Louis, Missouri and found this place so beautiful and delightful. The food and services of Americas Best Value Inn-Airport St. Louis hotel were superb. I loved the food very much.
Srikanth Manjunath
Picture perfect!
Aravind GJ
Dhiraj,
Thanks.
Anu,
Thanks for the comment. Visit the country before it gets crowded!!
John,
Thanks.
Srikanth,
Thanks.
Ercotravels
Nice post! I heard about this destination but never visit. but, in the post, destination looking splendid to visit.
http://travelagent-india.blogspot.com/
Aravind GJ
Ecotravel,
Thanks!!