Bhutan Prayer Flags

The structure on my left in the image below are prayer flags called "Lungta" in Dzongkha meaning "wind horse". ("Lung" means "wind" and "ta" means "horse"). There are Buddhist prayers printed on the flags. They are called Lungta because Buddhist believe that the wind will spread the prayers to the world at the speed of horse. Lungta consists of 5 colors: blue, white, red, green and yellow in order. 

The five colors represent the elements: blue symbolizes sky, white cloud, red fire, green water, and yellow earth. Lungta is one of the most common sights in Bhutan. You can see them on the mountains, near the temples, monasteries, and even across the river and on the bridges. Wangdiphodrang (probably the most windy place in Bhutan) is the best place for lungta because it feeds the windhorse with its strong wind.

Paro, Bhutan

View of Paro Dzong and the National Museum of Bhutan at the back. More than the dzongs, I really love the traditional cantilever bridges in Bhutan. 

The photo above shows two important places in Paro, Paro Dzong and the National Museum of Bhutan behind. Another name of Paro dzong is Rinpung dzong which means “fortress of heap of Jewels.” It was built in 1644 by zhabdrung and established as the administrative and monastic center of the western region. It was founded in the 15th century by Gyelchok and Gyelzom (brothers), the descendents of Phajo Drugom zhingpo. Inside Rinpung Dzong there are 14 shrines and chapels. Some scenes in the 1993 movie “Little Buddha” were filmed in this dzong.

Ta dzong, a 7-storied watch tower fortress was built in 1949. It was established as the national museum of Bhutan in 1968 by the 3rd king of Bhutan. The cylindrical shaped building was built in 1949 by the 1st governor of Paro. It served as a watch tower to protect the Paro Rinpung Dzong from Tibetan invasions. The building design reflets the union of the sun (circular shape) and the moon (crescent shape). The tower has 6 floors and not only housed soldiers but also prisoners of war.

The weather is Paro valley is pleasant most of the time. Make sure not to miss put these places because you will regret if you don't. Your eyes will be pleased. 

Bhutan Masks

Many countries have mask dances and it has its beauty. Here are some of the masks you can see during the religious festivals in Bhutan. The religious festivals are called "Tshechu". Some of the masks are quite intimidating but once you know the story told through the mask dance, you will stop fearing them and start to have a different view about it. 

Bhutan's Buddhism

Prayers wheels are called "mani khorlo" in Dzongkha. They are found in different sizes and can be seen almost everywhere in Bhutan. The mantra "Om mani padme hung" in Sanskrit is written on the outside. Some of them are turned by wind, some by running water and most of them by people as they pray. 

전경기는 부탄말로 "마니코를로"라고 부른다. 다향모양의 마니코를로가 있고 부탄에는 어디든지 볼수 있다. 마니코를로에는 "옴마니반메훔"쓰여져 있다. 어떤 전경기는 물과 바람으로 돌고 대부분 전경가는 사람들이 직접 기도 하면서 돈다. 🇰🇷🇧🇹

Bhutan Happy New Year 2016

Here is how to wish Happy New Year in simple Dzongkha. "Losar Tashi delek"! Happy New Year 2016 everyone!!