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A
trip to Bhutan normally begins and ends at Paro ... |
and
there can be few more charming valleys to be welcomed by, or from which
to remember the land of the Thunder Dragon. At an elevation of about 2200
m, Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Kingdom. If ever there
was a place where nature and man conjured their dearest image, it must
be the valley of Paro. Even in this fascinating Kingdom of Bhutan, Paro
is unique in beauty and in history.
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In
the north MOUNT JHOMOLHARI reigns in white glory and ... |
the
glacier waters from its peaks stream in torrential flows through deep gorges
until finally converging to form the Pachhu river that nourishes the valley to life. |
 |
The TAKTSHANG
MONASTERY , literally meaning Tiger's Nest, built around
the cave in which Guru Rimpoche and later his follower Dubthob Singye meditated,
clings dazzlingly on the precipice. |
A
visit to this monastery is a daredevil challenge that is both exhaustive
and thrilling. Across the rover, on a knoll that rises in a sheer climb
from the river, stands the RINPUNG DZONG commanding the whole view
of Paro valley. Today it houses the Paro Monastic body and the office of Dzongda
(District commissioner) and the Thrimpon (District judge). But some
centuries ago, it was an impregnable fortress that repulsed successive
invasions from Tibet. Behind Rinpung Dzong, high on the hillside
is the majestic castle-shaped TA-DZONG. The onetime lookout stronghold
also played an active part in the defence of Rinpung Dzong during invasions.
It has been a National Museum since 1967.
 |
DRUKGYEL
DZONG stands 15 km from the small town of Paro. The dzong was
built in 15th century. |
The
dzong was named Druk (Bhutan) Gyel (victory) to commemorate the victory
of Bhutan forces over Tibetan invaders in 1644. Destroyed by fire in the
early 1950s, now the dzong is in ruins.
|
 |
Across
the rover, on a knoll that rises in a sheer climb from the river, stands
the RINPUNG DZONG commanding the whole
view of Paro valley. |
Today
it houses the paro monastic body and the office of Dzongda (District commissioner) and the Thrimpon (District judge). But some centuries ago, it was an impregnable fortress
that repulsed successive invasions from Tibet.
 |
Ta-Dzong in the background
Behind Rinpung
Dzong, high on the hillside is majestic castled shaped TA-DZONG. |
The
onetime lookout stronghold, that also played an active part in the defence
of Rinpung Dzong during invasions. It has been a National Museum since
1967.
|
