Tuesday, March 26, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Paro, Bhutan

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Paro, Bhutan, in the Himalayas in Southeast Asia.

Today’s Excursion – Eagle’s Nest

We drove to the base of Taktshang Goempa (Tiger’s Nest), one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It hangs off the face of a cliff approximately 2,950 feet above the valley floor. Legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew into Bhutan on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The Taktshang Goempa is built around the cave. The complete hike takes five hours. Sandy & I stopped about halfway due to the altitude and steep terrain. Our fifteen-year younger and better shape friends made the entire trip. They provided the closeup photos of the Eagle’s Nest.

2,950 feet to go to the Tiger’s Nest monastery

View our friend’s video of their approach to the Eagle’s Nest.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9Gd5Zj1NvAA

View a video of the mountain stream at the Prayer Wheel Temple.

https://youtu.be/rVrm4waImWI

We dined on a private barbecue lunch in a lovely riverside meadow at the base of the Tiger’s Nest. Following our challenging hike to the most revered and iconic symbol of Bhutan, we proceeded for a private barbecue lunch in a lovely riverside meadow at the base of the Tiger’s Nest. Our Amankora Resort prepares a selection of grilled meats, vegetables, and other specialties, with a bar set up with our choice of refreshing beverages.

After lunch, we visited one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples in the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang. The Tibetan saint Thangthong Gyelpo built the temple in 1421. It is the only temple in the form of a stupa.

At the temple, we lit 108 Butter Lamps, or karme, which represent the dispelling of the darkness of ignorance. Lighting butter lamps is an offering of light to the deities and is one of the most common means of increasing one’s merit. It also helps to focus the mind, aid meditation, and bring wisdom and compassion to our lives. Next, we went shopping in downtown Paro, returned to Amankora Resort, explored the area, and hiked to a nearby Dzong.