PARO-THE VALLEY OF UNSURPASSING BEAUTY
Bhutan, in its entirety, only encompasses about 47,000 sq. km; about the same amount of land as Switzerland. The Southern half of the country generally remains below 3,000 meters in altitude and has a number of valleys that serve as home to a majority of the country's population. The vast majority of the country (72%) is covered in pine forests and the government that at no point in the future is the country to harvest lumber below the point of 60% coverage has decreed it. The Northern half of Bhutan sees a dramatic increase in altitude as some of the highest peaks in the world are found in the Bhutanese Himalayas. Containing thousands of lakes, hundreds of glaciers, and endless trekking paths, Northern Bhutan is one of the most amazing trekking destinations left in the world.
Paro is a valley town in Bhutan, west of the capital, Thimphu. It is the site of the country’s only international Paro airport and is also known for the many sacred sites in the area. North of town, the Taktsang Pelphug (Tiger’s Nest) monastery clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Northwest of here are the remains of a defensive fortress, Drukgyel Dzong, dating from the 17th century.
Drukgyel DzongZhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built this Dzong in 1646, to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the outer walls and the central tower remain an imposing sight. On a clear day, you have a splendid view of Mt. Jumolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel Dzong.
Rinpung DzongRinpung Dzong or the ‘Fortress of a Heap of Jewels’. Built-in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong stands on a hill above Paro Township. It is linked by the traditional cantilever bridge (called the Nemi Zam) over the Pa Chu where one may pose a photograph.
Experience a walk up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls. Once inside the Dzong, the monks, architecture and the ancient frescoes will welcome you.
Ta DzongOn a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is the Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to protect the Dzong from intruders and warring factions.
In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National
The museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins, and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection.
Kyichu Lhakhang temple is undoubtedly one of the oldest temples to have been built in Bhutan.
It is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century AD.
Because of Jowo (Buddha) as the main statue, the temple was also known as Jowo Lhakhang. Other statues are of Lord Buddha Sakyamuni, and two of his disciples Maugalbu (Maudgalyana), Sharibu (Sariputra).
The latest extension was carried out in 1965 under the initiative of the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck. She added another new structure to the temple known as Guru Lhakhang.
Next to the temple is the house that is now turned into a museum dedicated to the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. One can come across photographs and other artifacts belonging to Rinpoche.
Kila Gonpa
The temple is located below Chelela on the road to Ha. It is exactly twenty-seven kilometers from Bondey, Paro to the nearest road head and an hour’s walk from there to the temple.
Nothing much is known about the Kila Gonpa, however, oral sources confirm it as having built by Siddhi Paw Dorji in the 9th Rabjung (cycle of sixty years starting from the Rabbit year). Later in the later part of the 17th century, the 4th Chief Abbot Je Damchoe Pekar renovated and enlarged it into a two-storied structure. In between the temple was completely razed by a fire and was later rebuilt by the 25th abbot Je Sherub Gyeltshen.
The main relic in the temple is that of Chuchizhey (Avalokiteshvara) built by Je Sherub Gyeltshen. There are two Chortens (stupas). One contains the tooth of Je Sherub Gyeltshen and the other the tooth of Zhabdrung Jigme Norbu.
Currently, the temple houses the Nuns and has about forty-five nuns.
Tachog LhakhangIt was built by Dewa zangpo, son of the great siddhi Thangtong Gyalpo. Dewa Zangpo was not simply an important architect, but also established the lineage of the Tachog Chojie, the descendants of which live close by the temple today. It is believed that the temple was renovated in the late 17th century during the reign of the 4th Desi. In 1980 the temple suffered minor damage due to an earthquake. Today the temple is taken care of by the Tachog Chojie families.
They conduct Kuchoe (death anniversary ritual) of Dewa Zangpo annually on the 1st day of the 9th month.
Taktshang monastery
It is located atop an 800-meter cliff in Paro. Its history is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava, the Indian saint who came to Bhutan in the 8th century AD.
The cave was named Taktshang after Guru Rinpoche flew into the cave from Kurtoe Singye Dzong in eastern Bhutan riding on a tigress.
When landing within the cave he took the wrathful form of Guru Dorji Drolo (one of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche) to subdue the demons? it was also visited and blessed by many others. The foremost being Langchen Pelgi Sengye, one of the 25 disciples of Guru Rinpoche who also named it Pelphug (the cave of Pelgi). Milarepa, the cotton clad yogi, Phajo Dugom Zhigpo, Zhabdrung, Tenzin Rabgay also visited the site.? Next to Taktshang is a waterfall known as Shelkar Zar. This is believed to be the Drupchu (holy water) of one hundred thousand dakinis. Beside the waterfall is the main seat of Guru Rinpoche on a rock where he preached to his consort Khando Yeshey Tshogyal. As blessings, he gave his crystal rosaries to Khando Yeshey Tshogyal and thereafter the area came to be known as Shelkar Zar.? On the left side of Shelkar Zar is a small meditation cave in which Khando Yeshey Tshogyal and Guru Rinpoche meditated. On it is a stone that resembles a lion’s face and the cave is known as Sengye Phug.
The monastery first burnt down in 1951. A woman from the nearby village known as Tsento Shari started the fire accidentally. During the reign of King Jigme Wangchuck, he ordered the entire population of Trento village to rebuild the four temples of Taktshang, as they did not participate in controlling the fire.
In recent years the monastery was burnt on the 19th day of the 4th month in 1998. The government undertook the reconstruction in 2000 and the project was completed and consecrated
Sangchen Choekhor
The Dzong was established in 1763 by the second Sungtrul Choglay Sacha Tenzin (1734-1774) and thereafter became the seat of the Zhabdrung Sungtruls. During the tenure of the sixth Sungtrul Jigme Tenzin (1919-1949) in 1932, the temple was burnt down by the fire caused due to careless smoker, the stable-groom of Paro Penlop Tshering Penjor. The temple was later reconstructed at the initiative of the Rinpung Zimpon Tandin and the disciples of the Sungtrul. The trail to beautiful Bumdra Trek starts from here
