Bhutan – the The Last Shangri La, the land of the Thunder Dragon, and a culture that celebrates ‘Gross National Happiness’ over GNP. It’s an idyllic Himalayan kingdom sandwiched between the world superpowers of China and India. The government strictly controls tourism and is one of the last Himalayan kingdoms to resist rampant modernization. Until 1974 there was no currency, all transactions were completed in trade. There’s few places in the world remaining where a visitor can glimpse such a strong cultural heritage still thriving.
Dochu La pass overlooking Himalayas & Gnagkar Puensum, the highest unclimbed mountain in the world (22,600 feet), Bhutan
Buddhists circumnavigating Memorial Chorten in prayer, Thimpu
Monk running up stairs inside Jakar Dzong, Bumthang
Monk poking his head out of window at Wangdicholing Palace, Bumthang
Man spinning prayer wheel at Pumakha Dzong, Bhutan
Buddhist spinning a hand held prayer wheel
Monks inside Chimmi Lhakhang monestary, Punakha
Tashichho Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress in Bhutan’s capital city of Thimpu, illuminated at dusk
The highlight of our photography tour was the Teschu Festival in Gasa – thousands of Bhutanese in traditional dress walk days to the annual festival – our group of 8 plus two English tourists and one Japanese photographer were the only foreigners at this festival. We were warmly welcomed to celebration, making the long, bumpy 5 hour bus ride on a dirt road well worth the effort.
Gasa Tashi Thongmae Dzong with annual Teschu festival, Bhutan
Gasa Tschu festival featuring dance dramas performed by monks and laypeople dressed in colorful costumes, the dancers take on aspects of wrathful & compassionate deities, hero, demons and animals
Laya woman with her son watching Gasa Tschu performances
Laya woman from one of the nighest and remotes villages in Bhutran at 3700m. wearing traditional distinct dress with conical bamboo hats & spike attached by beaded band strap
Gasa Tschu festival audience laughing at masked clown antics, Bhutan
Phallus paintings on the walls of houses and buildings throughout Bhutan, particularly in villages, are esoteric symbols intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip. The Atsaras (masked clowns) also decorate their headgear with phallus painted cloth, during Tsechu festival and dance with their holy whips and wooden phalluses
For a full itinerary of our photography tour, please visit our Lumaria Workshops website
http://lumariaworkshops.com/photo-tours/bhutan-2015/