On a chilly morning on 4th December, Pujya Sri Swamiji landed at Paro Airport, Bhutan- His 99th foreign trip- and first visit to the land of the Thunder Dragon.
Cold winds greeted His Holiness as we watched the green mountains full of lush forests that encircled us from all sides. Tucked away amidst folds of twisting hills, the airport is not easily accessible for aircraft. Sri Swamiji was awed by maneuvering techniques of the skilled pilots of Druk Air as they banked left, then steeply right and left again before opening flaps for a quick descent into Paro Valley.
The next day His Holiness visited the famous Jigme Dorji national park, and spent time by the riverside in prayer and meditation. The river here flows fast and the waters are ice cold. What separate Bhutanese rivers from Indian rivers is the clean crystal waters, almost ice blue in color as they flow down the forested hills. Sri Swamiji cupped His hands full of the pure waters and drank His fill. We did the same too. His Holiness discovered a giant log of cedar pine that had fallen across the river and walked up to the edge of the log. He comfortably sat down and went into deep meditation. The whistling wind, the gurgling river, the pleasant sound of birds chirping- it was nature at its most pristine and beautiful.
The park, which is several hundred square kilometers in area, is home to wildlife like the Himalayan bear, mountain leopard, as well as thousands of varieties of exotic plants. Sri Swamiji also saw- from a distance- the picturesque monastery of Tango, perched on the cliffs far above the river. We made a mental note to include the monastery the next time His Holiness visits Bhutan for the filming of the music video.
In the evening Sri Swamiji set off for a leisurely walk down the shopping lanes, and spent time at a few stores that sell artifacts. What caught His attention were two exquisitely carved conch shells, inlaid with metal. His Holiness felt that these shells could be added to the museum collection back in Mysore.
It was dark and the temperature had dipped below zero. His Holiness was in high spirits and insisted on walking back to where He was staying. On the way back we came across the city square where a film festival was being celebrated. A live band was playing in Dzongkha, the local dialect. Standing in the darkness, nobody realized that a great master of music had silently arrived in their midst. Sri Swamiji watched the performers, blessed them in silence and quietly moved on.
The next day, the team headed for the exquisitely beautiful Do Chula Pass, which is a high point pass with an altitude above 10,000 feet. Here on top of the mountain are 108 Chortens or Buddhist temples, and from here five of the high seven snow peaks of Bhutan are visible.
We watched and watched- awed by the mind blowing wilderness and ice capped mountains. At sunset, the Master Painter quietly created a symphony of Light and Shade against the canvas of the Himalayan mountains. Words fail to describe what we saw. Sri Swamiji raised His hands in Salute to the great Architect of the Universe as the rest of us stood breathless before a spell binding sunset.
Do Chula is not a place for the feeble hearted, as ice cold winds wrap themselves all around and temperatures even in daytime are close to freezing. His Holiness was unaffected however, and took His own time performing prayers and sat down on the mountain top in deep contemplation.
December 7th. Sunday morning in Bhutan brings out its best moods. As we drove down to Paro Valley, we witnessed several archery competitions where skilled archers took out targets that were over 160 meters away!
His Holiness offered prayers at an ancient 6th century Buddhist Monastery, and spent time turning the prayer wheels that lined the courtyard. This was followed by a visit to the famous Dzong at Paro, a 17th century monument built by The great Shabdrung, who was the founder of the Bhutan state. The Dzong houses both religious and political institutions, and is an architectural masterpiece- something to remain awed and inspired by.
This marked the end of His Holiness's 99th world tour, to the land of the Thunder Dragon. His Holiness had a reason for visiting Bhutan on this occasion- a reason He said He would disclose at an appropriate time. Whatever the reason, any trip by His Holiness creates waves of peace and harmony wherever he goes, and that is by itself a sufficient reason for us at the moment.
Report by Mani Shankar
Dec 5
Om, Shanno mitra, Shan Varunah...His Holiness offers a first prayer at Jigme Dorji National park in Bhutan
Frozen mid air, each water droplet scattered from his hand sparkles like a pearl as His Holiness prays for peace to the people of Bhutan
Even an uprooted tree trunk can become home for one who has found peace within
Thimpu Cho, or Thimpu river swirls by at the Jigme Dorji National park
Dec 6
108 Chortens dot the landscape white and gold, their vibrations reaching out to the blue skies above
Do Chula pass- alt. 10,000 ft...as always, every step counts
"Shannor bhavati aryaman..." even our shadows should radiate a sense of light
As always, His Holiness prays for all of us
He can reduce his whole life into a single thought- such is the power of a Sage
Which point marks the center of the earth? Where ever I choose to sit, says the Sage
Late evening, Do Chula pass-Temperatures have dropped to below zero, but Gurudeva has discovered a fire within
Do Chula pass at sunset- we witness a rare occurrence as a cone of light bursts out of the deep blue as if to say good night
A salute to the master painter
If only we could have those eyes, those feelings that mirror the depths of the heart...
Dec 7
The picture says it all
Search for the One who, while seated, stands even taller
The 'dram' also stands for Dattatreya- His Holiness at a 7th century buddhist monastery, Paro, Bhutan
His Holiness at the monastery
The prayer flags wave back to His Holiness as he crosses the bridge
"Yopo brahmeti upaasate, apnoti sarvaan kaamaan triptimaan bhavati... " Chandogya Upanishad
Whosoever worships water as Brahman, all his desires will be fulfilled in his lifetime
The Dzong at Paro. A 17th century masterpiece of art and architecture
The last rays of the evening sun light up His Holiness as he tours the Dzong
The life of Buddha in exquisite paintings at the Dzong
Bhutanese style has a character and life of its own
...Never fear, I am here....
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