Happy Bhutan

                      Bhutanese dishes Description Bhutanese cuisine employs a lot of red rice, buckwheat, and increasingly maize. Buckwheat is eaten mainly in Bumthang, maize in the Eastern districts, and rice elsewhere. The diet in the hills also includes chicken, yak meat, dried beef, pork, pork fat, and lamb.

                                        Monarchy of Bhutan The  Government of Bhutan  has been a  constitutional monarchy  since 18 July 2008. The  King of Bhutan  is the  head of state . The  executive power  is exercised by the  Lhengye Zhungtshog , or council of ministers, headed by the  Prime Minister .  Legislative power  is vested in the bicameral  Parliament , both the upper house,  National Council , and the lower house,  National Assembly . A royal edict issued on April 22, 2007 lifted the previous ban on  political parties , ordering that they be created, in anticipation of National Assembly elections to be held the following year. [1]  In 2008, Bhutan adopted its first modern  Constitution , codifying the institutions of government and the legal framework for a democratic...

                                                    Gross National Happiness.   Gross National Happiness is a philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan. It includes an index which is used to measure the collective happiness and well-being of a population. Gross National Happiness is instituted as the goal of the government of Bhutan in the Constitution of Bhutan, enacted on 18 July 2008 Gross National Happiness, or GNH, is a holistic and sustainable approach to development, which balances material and non-material values with the conviction that humans want to search for happiness. The objective of GNH is to achieve a balanced development in all the facets of life that are essential; for our happiness. We are in the age of the Anthropocene when the fate of the planet and all life is within the power of mankind. Boundless consumer...

                                              LIFE STYLE OF BHUTANESE  farming style     Its a country that measures its worth by quantifying ‘Happiness’ in terms of– Gross National Happiness; rather than GDP. It is the happiest country in Asia and eighth happiest in the World. A country that has no traffic lights - and the traffic is regulated by free flowing traffic circles. I am told the attempt to install a traffic light was turned down as it restricts the natural flow of life. Since there is less traffic volume, it sure is manageable for now. Newspapers on a Sunday - Bhutan is known to be a nation with no sense of urgency whatsoever. Something that really brings in 'Happiness' i guess. So much  that there are no newspapers printed on  Sunday or nor do they want to read it. Isn't that cool! No desserts, Lots of Chilly - May be it i...

                                              TOURISM IN BHUTAN Tourism in Bhutan  began in 1974, when the  Government of Bhutan , in an effort to raise revenue and to promote Bhutanese unique culture and traditions to the outside world, opened its isolated country to foreigners. In 1974, 287 tourists visited  Bhutan . The number of  tourists  visiting Bhutan increased to 2,850 in 1992, and rose dramatically to 7,158 in 1999. [1]  By the late 1980s tourism contributed over US$2 million in annual revenue. Despite being open to foreigners, the Bhutanese government is acutely aware of the environmental impact tourists can have on Bhutan's unique and virtually unspoiled landscape and culture. Accordingly, they have restricted the level of tourist activity from the start, preferring higher-quality tourism. Until 1991, the Bhutan Tourism Corp...

Economy: Economic growth may average 5-6 percent per annum over the medium term, supported by the services sector and higher net exports. In the services sector, the key drivers are likely to be hotels and restaurants, retail trade and transportation, underpinned by tourism. The fiscal deficit is projected to be around 3 percent of GDP over the medium term. Revenue growth will be supported by royalties from Mangdechhu, corporate income taxes, and the introduction of GST in 2020/21. Spending is also likely to increase over the medium term as the government undertakes new public investment programs in line with the Twelfth Five Year Plan. Current expenditures are projected to increase with higher spending on the maintenance of hydropower plants and a possible increase in public sector wages. In spite of the continuing fiscal deficit, public debt as a share of GDP is projected to decline. This is because large amortization payments associated with hydropower investments begin w...

Religion : Buddhism is the principal religion of Bhutan and it reflects clearly in all the domains of life there. Utensils and household items have religious symbolism, prayer flags are seen on random hills, roads and trees and prayer beads peek out unobtrusively from under the fashionable dresses of young teens. Religion here is not a separate domain, it’s a way of life that encompasses every other function of life.  One interesting thing that I observed on my trip to Bhutan is that mostly all the roofs all fly a small white flag. Later, I learnt that these indicated that the owner has made offerings to the local God for appeasement. Each district in Bhutan (known as Dzongkhang) is ruled by a Dzong or a fortress with huge walls that serves as both the administrative and religious hub. These dzongs have chambers of justice, official rooms and coronation chambers apart from a monastery and praying hall.  Monks of Bhutan: If you happen to travel to Bhutan, you wi...

Culture : Bhutan’s culture is strongly based on its Tibetan form of Mahayana Buddhism, which contains a sprinkling of Tibet’s ancient Bon shamanist religion. The country’s rich heritage, protected by Bhutan’s isolation from the modern world until the 1960’s, is still very much in evidence. For most visitors to the country, Bhutan’s traditions and uniqueness are the main attractions, just ahead of its spectacular and mostly unspoiled natural beauty. Bhutanese national dress is still worn across the country, and its design is tightly linked to class and social status. Men wear a belted, knee-length robe and women wear ankle length dresses, again belted at the waist. The texture of the fabric, its colors, its embroideries, and its woven decorations all determine the wearer’s class, as do the colors of the scarves and shawls carried by women. In Bhutan, traditionally a feudal society, status plays a strong part in human interaction. Bhutanese law requires the wearing ...

History: Bhutan's early history is steeped in mythology and remains obscure. Some of the structures provide evidence that the region has been settled as early as 2000 BC. According to a legend it was ruled by a Cooch-Behar king, Sangaldip, around the 7th century BC,but not much is known prior to the introduction of Tibetan bhuddism in the 9th century, when turmoil in Tibet forced many monks to flee to Bhutan. In the 12th century, the Drukpa   kagyupa school was established and remains the dominant form of Buddhism in Bhutan today. The country's political history is intimately tied to its religious history and relations among the various monastic schools and monasteries. Bhutan is one of only a few countries which have been independent throughout their history, never conquered, occupied, or governed by an outside power (notwithstanding occasional nominal tributary status). Although there has been speculation that it was under the K...

Attractions : 1) Tiger’s Nest Monastery: The Tiger’s Nest Monastery hangs on a cliff and stands above an enchanting forest of blue pines and rhododendrons. As this beautiful and very exceptional monastery is a sheer climb the hill (900 meters), a pony can be arranged for the ride up, but only until the cafeteria. From then on, it is another steep walk and some narrow stairs towards the monastery itself. The trail crosses a chapel of butter lamps and descends to a waterfall by the Snow Lion Cave. The view of the Paro valley from here on is breathtaking, and the atmosphere very holy, a place where every Bhutanese will want to come at least once in his/her life. The place where Guru Rinpoche brought Buddhism into Bhutan, arriving on the back of a tigress. 2) Punakha Dzong: Being the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong, or some call it Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness), is also the country’s most gorgeous and majestic ...