Pilgrimage to Taktshang -the Tiger's Nest

Taktshang monastery and Nyes

Taktshang monastery is located north to the town of Paro. It’s one and half hours walk from nearest road head, Ramthangka. It is built on the cliff that was blessed by Ugyen Guru Rinpoche in 8^th Century. To know the meaning of the Taktshang, I explain combined two words in different sense.  The Tak is the Dzongkha word for Tiger, and Tshang meaning the Nest, which two combined is called as Tak-tshang. The name is derived after Guru Rinpoche visited the place, riding on the Tiger in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo to subdue the demon or evil deities there.

 

On the way to Taktshang, we enjoy the great scenes of northern Paro. We climbed the hill upwards following the mule track. There are numerous Handicraft shops are stationed there mainly for the tourists.

On the way to Taktshang, the Cafeterias are located at different places. Water and rubbish bins are fixed for the benefit of visitors and to conserve environment as a whole. 

Prayer flags are hanged along the footpath before reaching the temple which made the place holistic and picturesque.

The history of Guru Rinpoche (the Tantric Master) dates back to 8^th Century. He meditated there for several months on massive rock which we can see even today. The reason for Ugyen Guru Rinpoche’s visit in the form of Dorji Drolo is to subdue the evil spirits. Guru Rinpoche manifested himself in eight forms at different places while subduing demons. 

Guru Rinpoche flew to the place riding on Tiger as and when Guru predicts that there, the demon takes the life of the people settled nearby. Due to his supernatural power, he subdued evil spirits in Nepal, India, Tibet, Bhutan and other parts of the world. He travelled to various parts of the world intensely to subdue the demons to prevail peace and happiness amongst the people.

Today, with the name Taktshang, it gained name and fame all over the world. Due to its reputation, the place has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the country. All most all the tourists visiting Bhutan yearly by any means visit Taktshang.  

The temple was built on the massive rock in the form of Zangdo Pelri. History says that the temple was razed by fire to the ground for two times, which was restored later on. The temple was rebuilt same like what was before with very wide footpath with railing along the side footpath. 

As we enter the small gate installed before reaching the temple, there is a house purposefully constructed for the monks and police who are on duty. The followed by police check post, where we have to register our names along with Citizenship Identity Card. We are not allowed to take in our bags, camera, mobile phones, etc. to the Lhakhang.

As and when we left the police check post, we went to main temple where Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave situated. There, we prayed for well being of all the sentient beings in this universe. During that day, the Payphu (Guru Rinpoche’s Meditation cave) was not exhibited. As Ken-Nyer says, it’s open and exhibit for the public only once in year. 

We then proceeded to another temple. There are numerous Lhakhangs where the main statue there is Tshelha Namsum, Guru Dorji Drolo, Guru Rinpoche and many more. The treasure crown is also preserved there in the temple. There is also Neykhang where we have to sing there.

Drup Chus (Holy water) such as Phadampa’s Drupchu and Khando Yeshey Thsogyel’s Drupchu are well preserved. The visitors take a sip and bottled it and take home for the families and friends.

There is Meditation house located near water fall in the middle of the cliff. The butter lamp house is located on other hill before reaching the temple.

The 69^th Je Khenpo Gayshay Gaydhuen Rinchen was born in the cave near Taktshang which we see stand still. There, the small temple in the form of Zangdo Pelri was built covering the birth cave.

There are numerous temples beyond main temple. We tried to follow the track to other temples on massive hills above and behind the main temple. But we failed due to limited time.

Winter –a feverish cold

When the month strikes to September, the warmth of the earth abridged day after days. The freezing weather surmounted the warmth of earth. By October, November and now December it’s completely chilly. The winter season in Thimphu is tremendously pathetic and other northern parts of our country which includes northern part of the country.

The people irrespective of age, wealth or others collect fire wood starting from July until September, to keep their homes warm during winter. The people, who live in town and cities, already prearranged firewood near their residences.

The Bukhari, the Metal Oven or Stove was fixed in their houses by end of September. But for the people of core northern parts of Bhutan fixed and readied it by early September. The Bukharis are purchased from Bumthang in Central Bhutan, Khaling in Eastern Bhutan and Phuentsholing in South-Western Bhutan.

In urban areas such as Thimphu and Paro, the houses are built with modern technology so, there is no way to set up Bukhari. But an Electric and Kerosene heaters are renown in urban areas.

Due to scarcity of Kerosene supply in the country, the use of Kerosene heater became chaotic for the people. The Kerosene is supplied only 10 liters a person when person submit Xerox copy Citizenship Identity Card. An increase in Electricity tariff, an Electric heater would be difficult for the people as one have to pay huge amount of bill at the end of month.

In villages, the people use Mud Oven or Traditional Oven to warm up their houses for entire winter and also summer to cook their meals. Every household village consumes more than 10 to 15 tons of firewood every year for cooking purposes and defending themselves from tremendous cold.

During winter, the people gather together and bath in sun, gossiping and ingesting something special. I saw the group of shopkeepers gathered together bathing sun, perhaps to avoid huge amount of electricity tariff at the end of the month.

The hardware and electronics shops are importing truck loads of Electric and Kerosene heaters weekly where they could make huge amount of income in very short span of time. Every household in Thimphu and Paro has two or three electric heaters plugged to the socket.

The kerosene heaters were used as alternatives due to super scarcity of Kerosene supply in the country. The tens of people wait near oil depot to buy kerosene with jars and ID Card Xerox copy in their hands.

The office goers and school goers wore woolen clothes. Some men and women wore Pajamas and leggings respectively. Mufflers, hats, caps, and hand gloves are famous among the people irrespective of ages.

The travelers travelling along the East-west highway via Trongsa and Bumthang uses car heaters and thick clothes to guard from frozen climate. The hotels and restaurants on the way fixed large Bukharis, to keep dining rooms warm.

The North Face jackets and cotton pants are got prominent winter clothes among the people. The party goers this time wore thick and wooly clothes instead short and half naked clothes.

This is how people defend themselves from chilly winter in our country. Happy winter and expect Snow soon in the city and towns in northern parts of the country.

Discotheque’s Problematic?

Our country is birth place of Gross National Happiness (GNH) which was innate from the heart of form King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. In the GNH land of our country, the people of different ages do not consider our country as GNH’s birth place.

 

Discotheque in pour country gained famous over the years. Discotheque is the place where people from various areas grouped together and dance and enjoy drinks. The people of different age groups gather there for peel off their hectic mind refresh with optimum enjoyment with friends and strangers.

In the city of Thimphu, there are numerous Discotheques which attracts more than hundreds of people. In Paro too, there are countable Discotheques which magnetize people from around the town and also from village nearby. There are several Discotheques across the country which has intension of magnetizing the people to enjoy there, which ultimately help make income.

Tens and hundreds of people assemble at Discotheque. They stay there for few hours enjoying dances and drinks. When it is to shut, the people gathered came out of the discotheque, the intoxicated people then start yelling in the town disturbing residences in town and nearby areas. 

These days, Thimphu and Paro is extremely cold at night, but how the people can bear the extreme cold wearing short clothes exposing half of their bodies outward. They wear thick jacket to keep their upper half warm but think about lower half with skirt. I am wondering about the people of these days. 

Some married couples too enjoy in Discotheque keeping their children at home with baby sitter or house maid. They did not concern for the children at home eagerly waiting for the parents. Both husband and wife act same as they enjoy their life to the fullest where they have their own partners apart from marital life.

Though, they enjoy the life which leads to happiness in their life. But to create happiness in their life they never think that they are ruining the happiness of the neighbors. Does Discotheque help me to generate Happiness in my life? This question should be asked by everyone who enjoys in Discotheque by ruining others happiness.

During Wednesdays and Saturdays, the people who live in town areas does not enjoy good sleep as now and then party goers disturbs the sleep. They uproars and sings in the town loudly. Some people wakes up, shout against them but they tried to use slang words back. 

Drinking and dancing is one of the most enjoying parts of the life. The families at home are considered as minor importance in their life. Some youths today never listen to their parents because; they are addicted to drinks and discotheques. It’s truly unimaginable for all of us.

I have noticed numerous times where young boys and girls walk together holding each other. Some boys from another direction start mocking the girl, stating “Bum Jarim” which led to exchange boxing.  The girls use to smile and laugh at them while fight broke out. Some girls encourage their partners to bash them. 

When intoxicated boys fight among themselves, they use wood piece and stones and even other weapons which eventually hit on the vehicles parked in the town areas. The vehicles parked around too is not safe during Wednesdays, Saturdays and Occasions. 

Some people are caught by the police on the spot which lead them to police custody. They are charged under the felony of the particular laws. These finally give pressure to their parents and relatives. 

How much they are charged of such, they do not think of their parents and relatives. They just keep continuing with what they were doing prior to. 

Therefore, the Gross National Happiness is not fulfilled in the birth place. To GNH come true in the Bhutanese society, we the people of Bhutan should always think in same way and avoid un-societal chores. The odd jobs that people try to come up with really affect the country these days. 

We are Bhutanese with creativity and intelligence; we are respected by the people from around the world. We can do everything by ourselves, we should not think, unaccepted examples of other countries to exist in our country. Our country is unique, unique country should always keep unique.

Today, the people around the world are visiting our country to see how the people in this small and land locked country is working to be on own foot. 

This is Bhutan which is unique and unique from everything. Stop howling at night and quit visiting Discotheques.