1. Takthang Goemba, "Tiger's Nest Monastery"
" Bhutan, the Dragon Kingdom "

a photo journey through sacred valleys in the last
independent Buddhist state in the Himalayas.

Images by Ursel Shaffer

All images are  (C) 2005 Ursel Shaffer

| Further notes & Prices | Tibetan Nuns Project 2007 Calendar |
2. School children very eager to try out their English.
3. Boy with knife tending cows.
4. Market day in Thimphu,
bags of red onions.
5. Market day in Thimphu
couple in traditional costume.
6. Two School girls and hiking poles.
7. Large prayer wheels at Jampa Lhakhang Monastery .
8. Young monks practicing their instruments.
9. Paro Tsechus, festival with
"Dance of the four Stags".
10. Bhutanese  School children
in their traditional ghos and kiras ( costums).
Takthang Goemba, " Tiger's Nest Monastery"

Perched 10 000 feet high on the side of a cliff above the Paro Valley.

Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site of the  Monastery in the 8th century, on the back of a tigress, meditating and subduing demons.

It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Bhutan.
A steep 2 hour hike took me to the 2nd lookout point above the monastery.
School children in front of my tent, ( Bumthang Valley)
Very eager to try out their English.

We are singing " Row Row Row your boat"  ( life is but a dream).
Boy with a knife,
a young fellow at 10 000 feet tending cows.

When I said my "Kuzozangho" ( Hello ) , he handed me a piece of yak cheese !!

I said to my guide Chencho:
"I do not want it, can I tell him?"
He said: "You take it and later give it to me, it is very good and chewy"
"Can I give him some of my power bar?"
"That would be very nice!"
Market Day in Thimphu,

200 farmers selling their products once a week at the market.
Rice, Barley, Buckwheat, Wheat, Fruit, Vegetable, Spices, Raw Salt,
Potatoes, red Onions, Handcrafts, Weavings.
The majority of Bhutanese still wear their traditional clothes,
the  g h o  for men, which is a long robe pulled up to the waist
looking like a kimono, with knee socks.

Women wear their  kiras  , a floor length dress.
A rectangular piece of home spun brightly colored cloth that wraps
around the body over a silk blouse.
Over the top is worn a short open jacket.
Photograph to follow...
Ugyenchoeling Dzong,
a museum at 8000 feet, formerly the Palace of the second King.

I befriended 2 School children, who liked my hiking poles.

They are wearing traditional kiras and ghos with warm layers underneath.
Large prayer wheels at Jampa Lhakhang Monastery.

Build in 659 in one day for the visit of Guru Richpoche.
Young monks practicing on their instruments.

Gangtey Goemba in the Phobjikha Valley.

Once a year black necked cranes migrate to this valley.
Masked Dancer at the Paro Tsechus
"Dance of the Four Stags"

This dance shows how Guru Rinpoche subdued the God of the Wind
who created much unhappiness in the world, and rode a stag that was
the God's mount.

The dancers in the role of the stags wear yellow knee-length skirts and horned deer masks
Bhutanese School children and one mother
in their traditional School uniform.

They started to smile when we blew bubbles together.
Back to Events & Links page.
His Majesty
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
4th and present King of Bhutan
said to a western newspaper in 1987:

"Gross National Happiness
is more important than
Gross National Product."

A serious national priority
that is unique to the world
The above images are all available to order if the following sizes:

11 X 14  photo dry mounted and double matted
with acid free matboard
$ 165.

16 X 20 photo dry mounted and double matted
with acid free matboard
$ 230.

20 X 24 photo dry mounted and double matted
with acid free matboard
$ 300

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Dancing Natraj
All proceeds from the sale of this calendar benefit the Tibetan Nuns Project. US $10.00