!ncredible Paro Monuments

Taktsang monastery, Tigers nest, Bhutan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Gorge-ous Taktsang Monastery

If the Eiffel Tower has Paris hovering all over it, and the Statue of Liberty brings to mind New York City’ ever burning light and hope, then the Tiger’s Nest in Paro conjures visions of smiling monks, the grandeur of the Himalayas and a kingdom still steeped in myth and mysticism. Bhutan is as inseparable from this iconic image as is the Great Wall of China. The land and the monastery are as evocative of each other as anything. Its perhaps befitting that such is the case for Bhutan does stand for all the emotions that Taktsang is capable of striking.

As one of the most well known and sacred Buddhist regions, the monastery is a major pilgrimage site and a popular meditation retreat spot. The monastery was first constructed in 1692, built around the Taktsang Senge Samdup Cave. Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated here in the 8th century when he rode upon the spot flying on a tigress. Its physical charms are infectious. Today visitors come here from all over the world to partake in its natural as well as spiritual qualities. An easy day’s hike out, the monastery, perched precariously on a vertical cliff, besides a gorge with a waterfall that falls dead-weight some hundred meters down the gorge just as one begins the climb up the stairway to heaven to the temple premises. Taktsang is a beautiful shining gem in a heap of jewels that dot the mountain where the monastery sits.

The temple hangs 2,300m above the north of Paro Valley and just 10 kilometers from the town of Paro.

Paro Rinpung and the Ta Dzong

English: Rinpung Dzong (རིན་སྤུང་རྫོང) in Paro Bhutan with cantilever bridge. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another beautiful monastery to visit in Bhutan's Paro is Rinpung Dzong. This large structure, containing 14 shrines and chapels, is guarded by the conical-shaped Ta Dzong, traditionally used as a watchtower fortress now proudly housing the National Museum of Bhutan, just five years after Rinpung Dzong was constructed. Commanding more than 180 degrees as you scan the beautiful and fertile rice-terraced valley of Paro, a visit to the Ta Dzong, with some of the most interesting artifacts (amongst the luminaries is a Horse’s Egg and a Moonstone gifted by the people of America to the people of Bhutan) is a must. This is one museum you won’t forget easily. The museum is also home to a huge amount of Bhutanese religious art and craft covering some 1500 years of Bhutan's artistic legacy. Its Buddhist collections and shrines are some of the loveliest, whether it’s viewed aesthetically or as sacred relics and objects of the Dharma.

The Beautiful Ruins of the Fortress of the Victorious Drukpas

Drukgyal Dzong (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Literally located at the dead-end of the western highway, and at the onset of many of Bhutan’s most well-known treks (The Snowman, amongst a host of others), Drukgyel Dzong played a major role in Bhutan's history as it protected the country from and tharwted many Tibetan invasions, the most legendary among them being the battle against the combined forces of the Tibetans and their Mongolian allay, Gushri Khan. The dzong was built to commemorate this decisive victory and named hence. The dzong was gutted by a fire in the 1950s, the fort now lies in ruins. It’s a national heritage and a major tourist attraction. A night’s camp in the premises of the ruins before commencing on a major trek is a common starter as is the quiet and peaceful air and beauty of the place. On clear days, you can catch sight of Mount Jhomolhari, the Goddess of the Mountains and her sisters glimmering in reflection to the sun’ light. 

Bhutan | Drukgyal Dzong (Photo credit: simonjp)

*Awaits Your Discovery