Bhutan: Himalayan Fortress of the Gods
22 October - 6 November 2012
About the Tour
This tour is limited to 16 participants
This tour, led by Dr Alex McKay, visits the tiny, remote kingdom of Bhutan, hidden among Himalayan peaks. Bhutan has avoided mass tourism and its isolation has helped preserve its links to its past. You will gain unique access to people and places, exploring the stunning visual drama and fascinating Buddhist culture of this land, visit ancient temples and fortresses (dzongs), observe local markets and Bhutanese craft collections, and walk to secluded Buddhist monasteries. One highlight is the Jambay Lhakhang festival, where pilgrims wear their finest clothes and best jewellery as they combine religious observances and feasting with masked dances, like miracle plays, depicting Bhutanese history. The tour’s educational program is provided by Bhutan’s best scholars, creative writers, and politicians, including Dr Karma Phuntsho - the world’s foremost Bhutan scholar working outside the country (Cambridge university); in addition to ASA’s Dr Alex McKay (London university SOAS). They will provide unique insights into local religion and society including lectures on: the role of Buddhism in unifying the country and creating its national identity; religious meanings of Bhutanese landscape; village festivals; Tibetan, Indian and British influences there; and Bhutanese language and culture.
Overnight Paro (1 night) • Thimphu (2 nights) • Gangtey (2 nights) • Bumthang (4 nights • Trongsa (1 night) • Punakha (1 night) • Thimphu (2 nights) • Paro (2 nights).
Visits include PARO (Drukgyel Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong National Museum, Dumtse Lhakhang Temple) • 'Tiger's Nest' • Tamchhog Lhakhang • Haa Valley • THIMPHU (Changangkha Temple, National Textile Museum, School of Traditional Arts, Tashicho Dzong, Takin Reserve, weekly market, Institute of Traditional Medicine • Handmade Paper Factory) • Dochu La Pass • Tango Monastery • WANGDI Dzong • BUMTHANG (Jakar Dzong, Tang Valley: Ugyenchholing Palace Museum, Ura Valley, Membar Tsho ('Flaming Lake'), Jampa Lhakhang Festival, Kurjey Lhakhang) • Jigmeling Primary School •TRONGSA (Dzong, Ta Dzong Museum) • PUNAKHA (Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang) • GANGTEY (village, Gompa & nature trail)
The Jampa Lhakhang Drup festival
Tradition has it that in the seventh century AD King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet established 108 monasteries in different provinces of Tibet and Bhutan to subdue a demoness which underpinned the Himalayan landscape. The present Jampa Lhakhang is believed to be one of those monasteries, located in the heart of Bumthang's Chokhor Valley. Tantric Buddhism consequently flourished in the valley and later spread throughout the kingdom. In the fourteenth century Terton Dorji Lingpa initiated this festival in order to introduce the religious teachings of the Great Guru. Tulku Chogden Gyonpo, a descendent of Sindhu Raja, decreed that the people of the valley must teach these dances and celebrate the festival annually forever and that it should take place on the fifteenth day of the ninth month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar.
Lecturers and Guest Speakers
Alex McKay and a number of guest speakers will be giving lectures during the course of the tour. These will greatly enhance your understanding of the religion and culture of Bhutan. Guest Speakers (to be confirmed in 2012) include:
- • Dr Karma Phuntsho, is the world's foremost Bhutan scholar working outside the country. Once a Buddhist priest, Karma gained his D.Phil. from Balliol College, Oxford, has been a visiting scholar at Harvard and researcher at CNRS, Paris. He spends half his year at the Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge, and the other six months in Bhutan. Karma Phuntsho, who has written widely on Bhutanese religion and culture, will present to you extraordinary, intimate encounters with this stunning country and its fascinating people and their culture. Karma first joined ASA?in 2008 as lecturer for this tour.
- • Ashe Kunzang Choden, a prominent woman in Bhutan and the country's foremost writer.
- • Lopen Lungtaen Gyatsho Principal of the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.
- • Dasho Karma Ura Director of Centre for Bhutan Studies) or Sonam Kunga, former Editor of Bhutan Observer and National Council candidate.
Acknowledgement
This tour of Bhutan owes much to the inspired input of Blue Poppy Tours and Karma Phuntsho who helped in the design and writing of this program. ASA wishes to gratefully acknowledge their work.
