Bhutan General Mock Elections on Monday

Bhutan General Mock Election will be held on monday 28th May.
Will you vote for the Druk Red Party for “industry-led development” or the Druk Yellow Party for “preservation of culture and tradition” on Monday, May 28?

Monday, polling day, will be a national holiday with all government, corporate and private establishments closed for the day. Ministry of trade and Industry has already issued a notification stating that all shops and businesses should not operate on poll day.

“This was recommended by the international observers for the primary round of mock elections and hopefully, the voter turn out would increase with this decision,” said the chief election commissioner, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi.

According to election commission officials, collection time for Cordycep (Yatsha Guenbub) has also been extended by the Agriculture ministry for registered voters from higher altitude areas to make up for the lost time for collection because of polling.

For the general elections on Monday, eligible registered voters can also use their citizenship ID cards, new or old, or a certificate of civil registration issued by the concerned dzongkhag administration if they have not received the Voter Photo Identity Card (VPIC). “This is just for the mock elections because for the real elections people should have the VPIC,” said chief election commissioner.

May 27 and 28 have also been declared as dry days and coming to the polling station in a state of inebriation is not allowed, according to election commission officials. Carrying any arms including a penknife, except by election security personnel, will be treated as an offense. [read more..]
Source: Kuensel

Drive Through Thimphu Town

Just a glimpse of the Thimphu Town picture taken while driving, the picture looks bit a shaky. The Thimphu town has taken a drastic change within a short duration of time with building and construction everywhere. The amount of people coming to Thimphu from rural has been a trend for a employment or a migration to a town life. The buzz and honk all around the Thimphu Town as the motorist has increased double compared to 5-6 years back. Someone would be wondering if you happen to be in Thimphu after a gap of two to three years with the changes that the Capital City of Bhutan has taken a toll.

It would be unfair for a civil servant who has a decent post in the office and not having a car to drive to office and back home, now a days, vehicle has became a necessity for all the people rather than a luxurious in the past. The kids and Children of the modern bhutan have been the most lucky as without a car they won't feel like moving out from the home, indeed car for youth has become the routine for them to take around the Thimphu Town alongside with a group of friend and girlfriend, one would be clear that if you have the car you are sure to get a girlfriend whatsoever the look you have and the smartness you possess.

A Cross Road in Motithang Area

Norling Cable System on top a Building

View of BBS Tower from Chubachu

Bhutan B-Mobile Tower Just fit into the Picture

Druk Boutique Hotel

Check out the new Druk Boutique hotel which is taking the sky of Thimphu Town, the 6 storied New Hotel has been into construction since 2005 and it's scheduled to finish within this year. The New feature that the hotel has is the underground parking for the vehicle which is first in Bhutan. The hotel is grade with the four star of five star standard and this will ease the tension of the visitor.

The hotel has other name as well, Druk Taj Hotel, and the hotel will be avail during the Coronation in 2008. With the increase in the arrival of tourist and visitor in bhutan and problem of lodge, the druk boutique will quench the need of Bhutan Travel Agents and Tour Operator who have been having the problem during the Tourist season in Bhutan.

Druk Boutique Hotel (Druk Taj Hotal)

Bumthang : Land of Buddhist Historical Site

Bumthang is historically the heart land of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Its gentle slope hills offer plenty of walking opportunities to the many temples that dot this valley. "Bumthang" directly translates as "beautiful field". "Thang" means field or flat place, and "Bum" is said be an abbreviation of either "bumpa" (a vessel for holy water, thus describing the shape and nature of the valley), or "bum" ("girl", indicating this is the valley of beautiful girls). The valley is also famous for buckwheat yield and its production of honey, cheese, apples. and the yathra- a woolen material that has multiple uses which is popular amongst the tourist and visitors.

Bumthang District consist of Four Gewogs : 1. Chhume Gewog 2.Choekor Gewog 3.Tang Gewog 4. Ura Gewog

Cultural and historic sites in the Bumthang dzongkhag includes:

Jambay Lhakhang: It was built in second century by the famous Tibetan king Tringson Duetsen and he was believed to be the first man to take the initiative to spread the Buddhism in the Himalayan region of Tibet. Among the 108 temples he built two of them were found in Bhutan. So one in Bumthang, that is Jambay Lhakhang enshrining the statue of Jho Jamba(future Buddha) as a central figure. The temples were so built to bring a control over the evil spirits dwelling in the Himalayan dominion who constantly posed threat to spread of Buddhism.

Kurjay Lhakhang: Kurjay means “the body print”and the history dates back to eight century when Guru Rinpochhe visited Bhutan for the first time on repeated requisition of Bumthang king, Syendha Gyalpo. Guru was invited as the King was seriously ill as a result of his ill-behavior to the local deity Shelging Karpo who took away his spirit. So on arrival to Bumthang, Guru meditated in a cave presently located in the Kurjay Lhakhang where he showed his miracle power to subdue the local deity who was supposed to have caused the illness to the king of Bumthang. Upon showing the miracle by exhibiting his eight forms and other beautiful ladies dancing, local deity was engrossed in watching Gurus manifestation. Guru Rinpochhe in the mean time took the form of Garuda, the mythical bird and caught him in his neck and brought under his control. From that time onwards the king was recovered and as a token of his respect, the king offered his daughter to Guru Rinpochhe as his spiritual consort.
After that Guru Rinpochhe meditated in several places in Bumthang, especially in Kurjay Lhakhang one can find the body-print of Guru Rinpochhe and one will also find the walking stick of Guru Rinpochhe that has grown into a living cypress.

Tamzhing Lhakhang:It was built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa who was believed to be the reincarnation of Guru Rinpochhe. The Lhakhang is located on the opposite side of Kurjay Lhakhang. Pema Lingpa discovered several treasures which were hidden by Guru Rinpochhe and the famous Burning Lake is one of the places from where he discovered the treasure when he was just a seven year old boy. Pema Lingpa was born in Bumthang and played a significant role in strengthening the spread of the Buddhism in Bhutan.

Membar Tsho (Burning Lake): Where sacred scriptures hidden by Guru Rimpoche in the 8th century where later recovered by Pema Lingpa in the 15th century, the story goes that terton pema lingpa dived into the lake with a butter lamp in his hand to discover the scared scriptures hidden by Guru Rinpoche when he was here in Bhutan, he came out from the lake with the lamp still burning thus the lake was known as Member Tsho, Meaning The Bruning lake.

Ura Village: It is about 50 kilometers from Choekhor valley and takes about one and half hour. Located in a broad valley, Ura village is a clustered of traditional houses fenced by cobblestone streets that give the village a mediaeval atmosphere. The women in Ura village cover their head with white cloth piece to protect from the harsh cold wind and carries sheepskin (behind their back) used as cushion and as well as to protect their cloth from the loads they carry. This is the venue for Ura Yakchoe Festival.

Tharpaling/Chudrak Goenpa/ Kedhephu: Situated at more than 3600m the Chudrak Goenpa was built by Lorepa, a Drukpa Kagye lama from Tibet in 1234. It is also the spot where Guru Rimpoche had meditated during this period. Little above the Goenpa is the Kedhephu from where you can see the peaks of other surrounding mountains

Petseling/Bathela: It takes about three and half hours to reach Petseling Goenpa from Chamkhar valley, and a good day for a short hike above the Goenpa to reach at Bathela mountaintop, from where you can have the panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.

Kunzang Drak: It is two hours walk above Chel Tang Valley. It is one of the most important sites related to Pemalingpa the great treasure discoverer in Bhutan, who also constructed the Goenpa in 1488. Most of his sacred relics are kept here including the gilded stone bearing his footprint.

Wangthang Goenpa: It is around 50 km from the Chamkhar Valley and is located in Ura Village where you could Explore the Ura village en route to Wangthang Goenpa. The villages in Ura have clustered houses, which is quite unusual in Bhutan. Since last 25 years Ura has been transformed from a marginal community to a prosperous valley. From Ura just take a Short hike to Wangthankha Goenpa which is situated above 3420 m.
Ngang Lhakhang: Three hours walk from Thangbi Goenpa is a small region of Ngang Yul “Swan Land” and this temple is 100m above the valley floor. Guru Rimpoche visited the site and Lama Namkha Samdrup, contemporary of Pemalingpa, built present temple in 15th century. Three-day festival is held here each winter with mask dances in honour of the founder of the temple

The People of Bumthang has their own native language which is known as Bumthangkha. It is a Tibeto-Burman language closely related to Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. Bumthangkha is partially comprehensible to speakers of Dzongkha, which originated in valleys to the west of Bumthang.

Memorial Chorten of Thimphu

While you are here in Thimphu, the Capital City of Bhutan, don't forget to take a stroll to the Memorial Chorten which was built in 1974 in memory of the third king His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck which died in 1972. The Chorten looks tall and beautiful as you make round the chorten. The Chorten serves the right place for older people and religious people to come worship the god and pay homepage to the deities. The Chorten is under renovation for the coronation in 2008.

Bhutan Golf: Thimphu Golf Course Review

Thimphu Golf Course is the world most remote golf course which lies just next to Tashichodzong, the seat of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and other ministries, The Monastery body reside during summer season. Royal Thimphu golf course is the only course which is open to the public and interested players, How Golf was Introduced to Bhutan : Well talking about the golf in Bhutan, Golf in Bhutan is brought by An Indian Army officer in the early 1970s by convincing Bhutan's king to let him build a course on the fallow rice paddies adjacent to the Thimphu dzong which now has par 34, 2,800 yards.

During that time only few Indian and Bhutanese army officers along with few high rank government officials and businessmen took up golf in Bhutan. With the popularity amongst the elder and businessman, golf these days have plenty in numbers compared 50 and 100 in year 1980 and 2000 respectively. The Thimphu Golf Course stands a vast area covering from the Tashichodzong towards the Royal Court of Justice, the Thimphu golf course has many events and tournament organized throughout the year and some tournament are rolling trophy where it is played year after year, the most prized tournament/championship is sponsor by Indian Embassy which is called Maruti Open where the first prize is an indian Made care Maruti 800 cc. The other Events which includes are the Bhutan Open, the Druk Air Championship and the Yak Open.

Due to the popularity among high level and with few businessman only, there are not even a single shops where golf gears are sold in Bhutan whilst the players purchase the gears from outside countries when traveling abroad or purchase second hands from other players.

Golf Green of Thimphu, Tashichodzong in Background

View of Thimphu Golf Course, Chorten and a pool are seen too