A brief visit to Bhutan

A brief visit to Bhutan, through Phuntsholing

Bhutanese roadsides are well-vegetated

Life is short, and one of the primary purposes of life is to gain wisdom, the little we can, to understand this vastly complex and yet seemingly ordered universe all around. And that forms one of the many reasons for which we should reserve a fraction of our life just for the sake of travelling. Travelling not only enriches life and broadens the mind with a wider perspective of events, but it also makes us acquainted with seemingly alien cultures, helps us understand the way of life of people from other parts of the world, and finally to study our own selves better in light of theirs. 

And if you want to travel abroad, you always have plenty of opportunity to head into Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and many other small countries bordering West Bengal. And this time, I choose to throw some light on the land of the peaceful thunder dragon, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. 

Extending beyond the northernmost reaches of the Indian district of Jalpaiguri, the steep slopes of Bhutan quickly ascend to the southern lap of the mighty Himalayas. The gradually undulating slopes make way to the cloud-covered peaks of northern Bhutan, and finally to the southern edge of the glorious Himachal and Himadri ranges. A land of many colours unified under the reign of the peaceful and cultured royal house of His Highness Jigme Wongchuk, Bhutan presents a blissful diversity and a much needed moment of respite from the constant din and materialism of Calcutta and other megacities of India. 

Bhutanese government building at Phuntsholing

We entered Bhutan through Phuntsholing, one of the frontier towns marking the southern boundary of the kingdom. It's a twin of the adjoining Indian block of Jaigaon, and regular buses and other modes of transportation cross into one another through the scarcely guarded gateway. One of the main things that attracted my attention was that, as soon as the car entered Bhutan, all the houses and buildings started to seem a bit alien, albeit beautiful constructed otherwise. The police station and the main bus stand buildings were decorated with dragon emblems and inscriptions written in Bhutanese language. The roads are surprisingly well-maintained, with flowery beds marking the sideways while still allowing for pedestrian paths. Well paved and gradually sloppy, the roads might however cause one to start vomiting during the ascent, although, thankfully, no such thing happened in our case. 

Buddhist flags are everywhere when you're in Bhutan

Temperatures were surprisingly high for the middle of March, and especially here atop the hills. around 34 degrees Celcius. That didn't stop us from stepping out of the car and taking a multitude of shots from all possible angles, exploring the beauty of the land of His Highness Wangchuk and simultaneously taking in as much of it as we can, both through our eyes and the camera lenses. Memory being free and memory cards being cheap, that wasn't much of a problem. 

The sun shone brightly as we rode further on, and reached a spacious, meticulous decorated Gumpha maintained under royal patronage. The Bhutanese royal guards wearing black uniforms could be seen patrolling the surroundings, for the spot houses a royal guesthouse where the king and his family stay during their many visits to the place. I was practically mesmerized as I stepped along the hanging edge of the elevated platform carved out of the hill, witnessing the majesty of the surrounding hills and at the same time thrilled to realize the height of the place. Far below, Indian houses back there at Jaigaon and its neighbouring areas could be seen, resembling doll-houses from this height. The river, like a silvery thread glittered beyond Jaigaon in the west, reflecting the golden light of the high-rising Sun. The shimmering brilliance of the reflection still seems to glaze before my eyes as I pen down my memories of the scene. 

Prayer wheels, aren't they plainly beautiful?

All around the Gumpha, we could see massive pillars erected in Buddhist style, with prayers inscribed on them. Temple bells jingled with the swift flow of winds, as if carrying away the messages of those prayers to distant places, beyond our frail gaze. A sensation of serenity circumscribes the place, the silence getting occasionally shattered by faint cries of joy from far sides of the platform. People from India and Bangladesh are frequently seen picnicking near the spot. Beautifully designed pieces of cloth were hung from threads, with brightly coloured prayers inscribed on them. Four prayer wheels were present on one side of the Gumpha. 

The Gumpha itself is surprisingly modern, possibly thanks to the royal patronage and financial backing. Young Bhutanese Lamas can be seen performing their sacred rites inside the Gumpha, before a massive, brilliant statue of the Buddha in meditative posture. Numerous other divinities of the Buddhist pantheon, including Sakya and Mahakala, are portrayed on a vast multitude of illustrations decorating the inner walls. Peace and quietness dwells everywhere within the Gumpha. A word of caution, photography is forbidden inside the building, and the Bhutanese folks do take it very seriously. If you still plan to take the challenge, I don't know whether they'll break your camera first or your hand. So, beware.

Indian village of Jaigaon, at it appears from Bhutan

On the returning journey, one can also visit the Phuntsholing central complex housing the bus stand. The supermarket of the region is a brimming one, and even on Sundays, it can be seen thriving with activity. A crocodile park in the locality is also a famous destination for tourists. 

Indian Rupee is accepted everywhere, but things are usually very costly. Also, one thing to be kept in mind is that, the Bhutanese police are very strict so far as traffic rules are concerned. Break one, and they'll gladly break your purse. Break two, they'll gladly break your leg, provided that you DO MIND going to their police station. ;) I don't actually believe the 'Break three, and they'll break your neck' part quite, but that's not to be tested. 

The many colours of Bhutan

Overall, southern Bhutan is an excellent place to visit, as I've concluded from this very brief trip. Picturesque beauty combined with hilly serenity and a sauce of alien culture, all can contribute to elevating your mood. I'm still looking forward for the day I'll find myself within the boundaries of Bhutan again, obviously with my camera and a large chunk of money to spend. :)