Paro Valley
In
the fascinating kingdom of Bhutan, Paro is unique in beauty and in history.
To the north, Mount Chomolhari (mountain of the Goddess), reigns in white glory
and the glacier waters from its "five sisters" peaks plunge torrentially
through deep gorges, finally converging to form the Paro Chu river that nourishes
lush rice fields and apple and peach orchards of the Paro valley.
The 'Taktsang' monastery, literally meaning 'Tiger's Nest', built around the
cave in which Guru Rimpoche - and later his follower Dubthok Singye - meditated;
clings seemingly impossibly to a cliff of rock, all of 3000 ft above the valley
floor.
Across the river, on the knoll that rises from the river, stands the elegantly
symmetrical Rimpung Dzong, commanding a view of the Paro valley stretched out
below.
Today it houses the Paro monastic body and the office of the Dzongda (District
Commissioner) and Thrimpon (District Judge).
The
Thongdroel, the most sacred giant painted and appliqued scroll depicting the
eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava with the two attendants, Khendu Yeshey
Tsogyel and Mindha-Rawa, is displayed for a few hours on the concluding day
of the Paro Festival.
Behind Rimpung Dzong, high on the hillside, is the majestic Ta-Dzong which played
an active part in the defense of Rimpung Dzong invasions, has been the National
Museum since 1967.
Eighty km out of Paro is the burned out fortresses of victorious Bhutan, the
Drukgyel Dzong. Kytichy Lhakhang, one of the kingdom's oldest and most sacred
temples, and Dungtse Lhakhang are also centres of attraction.
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