Tiger’s Nest embodies all the magic one imagines about Bhutan. Clinging to a cliff face high in the mountains this pilgrimage spot was made sacred by a visit of Guru Rinpoche. It is said that his consort Yeshe Tsogyal turned herself into a tiger and flew up to this perch with him on her back.
Tiger's Nest
We drove into the mountains. At the base of the trail you can look up and see the shrine in the mountain above.
At the head of the trail we are reminded that the king of this land is Guru Rinpoche.
The trail is steep and we have hired horses for the upward journey. Raphael meets his four legged friend.
This little house has an enormous prayer wheel in it being turned by a small but vigorous stream.
Part of the trail was in dense forest.
Then it would open and we would see magnificent views of the valley
It was so steep at times that steps were cut into the trail
There were no reins, only a rope that the pony guide sometimes held. It was a very vulnerable feeling.
Every now and then we would be treated to a view of our goal. Tiger’s Nest
Some spots were dense with prayer flags. There were not many people on the trail and many of the pilgrims were Bhutanese.
This pile of stones represented the prayers of the pilgrims. Everyone who walks by places a stone and a prayer
Peaking behind......Tiger’s Nest
The moss in some areas was thick
This is as far as our ponies went. The rest of the way we walked.
There were several small caves on the way. These are tsatsas, made of clay and sacred substances, pressed into a mold
To get to the shrine one must climb down into the gorge.
Raphael and Kutira arrived way before us. She had an appointment later in the day. We were not in a hurry and tarried along the trail, absorbing every bit of glory.
This is the path that descends into the gorge. There were places where the drop from one side was quite dramatic, a number of tourists do not go beyond this point.
At the bottom of the gorge was a bridge.
This waterfall poured down the cliff face.
On the other side of the bridge this small temple was hidden in the side of the cliff.
The waterfall stream flowed into this structure
Which held a prayer wheel that the water turned.
Prayer flags spanning the gorge. How did they string them across?
These stairs lead to the main shrine
On the other side of the door.....
Inside the temple we could not take photos
Looking back across the gorge to the steps, the flags and their shadow
And now we must depart
This pilgrim was on her way.
We stopped at Yeshe Tsogyal’s shrine to offer a butter lamp of thanks and prayers for family and friends. We said special prayers of thanks and dedication to our sponsors.
Yeshe Tsogyal
Her shrine was humble
Her shrine attendant
It was late afternoon as we descended enjoying the play of light, clouds and mountains.
This small shrine on the way down was the birthplace of one of the revered Lamas of the Bhutanese lineage.
Robin lingered to film, Prema found a place to absorb the profound peace
Ok, let’s go.
This cave area had been used by a legendary yogi.
The walk down was steep.
This fellow was painting and polishing the stone
The forest was getting dark. We stepped lively. There are wild animals in these parts.
Just a few steps from the bottom we sang our joy and our prayers that this land may continue to inspire and uplift all who have the blessing to experience the beauty and the wonder.
