Adventure

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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