Because of an important ceremony being held at the Punakha Dzong, Kutira arranged for us to journey over the Dorchula Pass and into the next valley.
Dorchula Pass
Our driver Dorje had to navigate the narrow mountain road with great care.
We picked up some local apples and pears for the journey from this lovely roadside vendor.
The higher we went the denser the forest.
Every now and then a laughing creek would break through the trees.
And then suddenly, the snow mountains appeared. It was a stunning day and nature was at her most brilliant. We had reached the Dorchula Pass.
We could barely tear our eyes from the majesty of the mountains.
But the monuments built on this pass were also worth our joyful viewing.
Her Majesty Ashi Dorje Wangchuck built these 109 stupas in 2003. praying for the protection of her son and husband who had gone to fight against insurgents in the south of the country.
Militant groups had established guerilla camps in the southern jungles and no amount of peaceful diplomacy would dislodge them. The king decided that he had to take aggressive action.
Her Majesty’s son, a teenager preparing for college, decided to accompany him. Anxious for the life of her family and her people she went to Dorchula Pass and built a stupa.
It was to be a “visible symbol of my fervent prayers to the deities to protect our country at this difficult time.” She vowed that she would build 108 stupas around the central stupa
During our travels in the country we met several young Bhutanese who had volunteered to join the army in order to fulfill the King’s decision.
The country prepared for a protracted war, but in only two days the army routed the insurgents, destroying 30 camps, arresting the leaders and driving the rest out of the country.
There were 11 Bhutanese deaths. The country entered a period of mourning, praying for the dead on both sides of the war. The queen fulfilled her promise to build the garland of 108 stupas
It was here that she met Kutira. Having just arrived from the airport, Kutira’s party was visiting the stupas at the same time the queen was. The queen spotted her in the parking lot.
She called Kutira to join her on the Kora walk. Linking arms she chatted as if she had met an old friend, pointing out the direction where her family comes from.
Prayer flags are lavishly hung in back of the stupa hill.
Their joyful fluttering, the peace and beauty brought us to a profound inner stillness.
Kutira, Robin, Prema
Back on the road we whizzed past charming homesteads
There are several villages in Punakha Valley.
We were to stop in this one for lunch
The houses are all in the Bhutanese style, lintels carved and painted
The restaurant looked promising
The stairs were a bit steep
But the meal was worth the effort. Fabulous veges from the farmer’s own field
This picture of the 5th King was a focus of the decor. The people love the royal family.
Outside the villagers were harvesting grain.
We hastened back to our car, we had one more stop to make before nightfall.
