bhutan – Posts from the Edge

A golden bodhisattva stands before the enormous Great Buddha Dordenma statue in Bhutan, just outside the city of Thimphu.

Bhutan, Thimphu, Great Buddha Dordenma

Two women carry bamboo logs along a remote countryside trail in Bhutan.

Bhutan, Punakha district

The Himalaya mountains viewed from my airplane window as I flew from Bumthang to Paro in Bhutan.

Bhutan, Eastern Himalaya

A Takin, the national animal of Himalayan mountain kingdom, Bhutan.

Bhutan, Thimphu, Motithang Takin Preserve

Looking up into the trees as I hike through the forests of Bhutan’s wonderfully-named Bumthang district.

Bhutan, Bumthang

During the annual Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival near Thimphu, Bhutan, members of the Royal Bhutan Army perform traditional masked dances.

Bhutan, Thimphu, Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival

A view across the golden Punakha Valley from the top of the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Bhutan.

Bhutan, Punakha Valley

A demon brandishing a knife twists and twirls at the top of the world during the Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival near Thimphu, Bhutan

Bhutan, Thimphu, Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival

Paro Taktsang – commonly known as the Tiger’s Nest – is Bhutan’s most famous temple. Nestled on the side of a cliff, seemingly defying gravity, this Himalayan Buddhist temple complex was built in 1692.

Bhutan, Thimphu, Tiger’s Nest

Everywhere you go in Bhutan, you’ll see elaborate penises painted on walls.

Bhutan, Thimphu

The Tachogang Lhakhang bridge was built in the mid 14th century by Thangthong Gyalpo, a pioneering civil engineer – and Buddhist yogi – who built 58 iron chain suspension bridges around Tibet and Bhutan.

Bhutan, Thimphu, Tachogang Lhakhang bridge

During the annual Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival near Thimphu, Bhutan, members of the Royal Bhutan Army perform traditional masked dances.

Bhutan, Thimphu, Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival

In 1971 archery was declared the national sport of the kingdom of Bhutan. Today, you’ll see people firing arrows everywhere you go.

Bhutan, Thimphu

Two clowns or Atsaras wrestle at the Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival near Thimphu, Bhutan.

Bhutan, Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival