About Bhutan
Bhutan and its History
The Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan lies along the lofty ridges of the eastern Himalayas, bordered by China (Tibet) to the north and northwest, and by the Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim on the east, south and west respectively. Open for tourism in 1974, after the coronation of 4th king, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Bhutan is perhaps the world’s most exclusive tourist destination. The country still retains all the charm of the world, and travelers experience the full glory of this ancient land as embodied in the monistic fortresses, ancient temples and stupas which dot the countryside, prayer flags fluttering above farmhouses and on the hillsides, lush green forests, rushing glacial rivers, and perhaps most important of all the warm smiles and genuine friendliness of the people. The history of Bhutan dates back to 8th century, with Guru Padmasambhava’s legendary flight from Tibet to Bhutan in 747 AD on the back of tigress. The country was unified under the Drukpa Kagyupa sect of Mahayana Buddhism in the early 17 the century, by the religious figure, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. At the end of the 19th century, the Trongsa Penlop. Sir Ugyen Wangchuck, who then controlled the central and eastern regions, overcome all his rivals and united the nation as one. In 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously accepted as king, and a hereditary monarchy system was unanimously agreed for Bhutan. In 2006 the 4th king stepped down as head of the state and handed over this function to a prime minister assisted by a cabinet of ministers. In 2008, Bhutan held its first parliamentary elections, making a new era in the political history of Bhutan. As part of the move towards democracy, the 4th king handed over his responsibilities to his son king Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck in 2006.The 5th king’s formal coronation took place in 2008. In the same year as the first election and also the year that marked the centenary of the kingdom.
- Capital:Thimphu
- Population: 7,50,000
- National language: Dzongkha
- Currency: Ngultrum (Nu), where 1 USD is about Nu 82.86
- Country code: +975
- National sport: Archery
- National Dress: Men (Gho) Women (kira)
Facts & Figures
Festival Name | Festival Location | Festival Date |
Lhamoi Dromche | Trongsa | Feb 15-17 |
Punakha Drupchen | Punakha | Feb 16-18 |
Punakha Tshechu | Punakha | Feb 19-21 |
Tharpaling Thongdrol | Chumi,Bumthang | Feb 24 |
Tangsibi Mani | Ura,Bumthang | Feb 24-26 |
Bhutan International Marathon | Annual Event Organised | Mar 5 |
Gomphukora | Trashigang | Mar 17-19 |
Talo Tshechu | Talo,Punakha | Mar 17-19 |
Gasa Tshechu | Gasa | Mar 17-19 |
Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang | Mar 17-19 |
Paro Tshechu | Paro | Mar 21-25 |
Chhorten Kora | Trashiyangtse | Mar 25 & April 8 |
Rhododendron festival | Lampelri Botanical Garden,Dochula | April 19-21 |
Domkhar Tshechu | Chumi,Bumthang | April 18-20 |
Ura Yakchoe | Ura,Bumthang | April 20-24 |
Nimalung Tshechu | Chumi,Bumthang | June 14-16 |
Kurjey Tshechu | Choekor,Bumthang | June 16 |
Haa Summer Festival | Haa | July 14-15 |
Mushroom festival | Genekha, Thimphu | Aug 15-16 |
Masutaki Mushroom festival | Ura,Bumthang | Aug 23-24 |
Tour of the Dragon-Bicycle Race | Bumthang-Thimphu | Sept 5 |
Thimphu Drupchen | Thimphu | Sep 8 |
Paro Dromche | Paro | Sep 10 |
Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang | Sep 11-13 |
Thimphu Tshechu | Thimphu | Sep 12-14 |
Tamshing Phala Choepa | Tamshing,Bumthang | Sep 13-15 |
Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey, Phobjikha Valley | Sep 16-18 |
Thangbi Mani | Choekor,Bumthang | Sep 17-19 |
Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochang (Jhomolhari Base Camp) | Oct 14-15 |
Royal Highland festival | Oct 23-24 | |
Chukha Tshechu | Chukha | Oct 10-12 |
Jakar Tshechu | Choekor,Bumthang | Oct 10-12 |
Jambhay Lhakhang Drup | Choekor,Bumthang | Oct 17-21 |
Prakhar Duchhoed | Chumi,Bumthang | Oct 18-20 |
Dechenphu Tshechu | Thimphu | Nov 3 |
Black Neckedl Crane festival | Phobjikha Valley | Nov 11 |
Goenpi Dromche | Trongsa | Nov 6-8 |
Mongar Tshechu | Mongar | Nov 9-11 |
Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang | Nov 9-11 |
Jambhay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Bumthang | Nov 15 |
Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pema Gatshel | Nov 9-11 |
Nalakhar Tshechu | Bumthang | Nov 15-17 |
Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Dochula | Dec 13 |
Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa | Dec 8-10 |
Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse | Dec 8-10 |