History of Bhutan
Bhutan is a tiny and unique Himalayan kingdom. The civilization of Bhutan started since the Stone Age as per the archaeological evidences and there are some mythical beliefs which serve as visual evidences of the latter in some of the far flung ancient Bhutanese villages or houses and monasteries.
The Buddhist history in Bhutan started since 8th century with the visit of Guru Rinpoche in Bhutanese language (Dzongkha – the national language of Bhutan) or Padmasabhava in Sankrit. Guru Rinpoche is believed and revered as second Buddha in Buddhism as well as in Bhutan. His advent to Bhutan has added an authentic and beautiful architectural design with flourishing places of pilgrimage in Bhutan which includes including two of its most sacred monuments: Kurjey Lhakhang and Taktshang Lhakhang, or Tiger’s Nest monastery.
His visit is followed by the ruling clans and warlords in different provinces but the architectural designs and religion were intact. The arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1616, the great leader of the Drukpa Kagyu School of Mahayana Buddhism, initiated a dynamic period in Bhutanese history. He is well known for constructing important dzongs (fortresses) and Buddhist monasteries around the country which helped in unifying the country. Zhabdrung laid down many of Bhutan’s customs, traditions and ceremonies, forging a unique cultural identity. The identity of Bhutan including the traditions, culture and customs are embedded with the religion of Bhutan, Buddhism.
Monarchy, Modern Bhutan and Democracy
The emergence of Wangchuk Dynasty in 1907 is the start of monarchical system in Bhutan, ending the Desi system (head of the nation) which was introduced by Zhabdrung. His Majesty, Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuk is unanimously chosen as the first hereditary king of the Kingdom of Bhutan, thereinafter. The reign of Wangchuk dynasty has been a new journey in the history of Bhutan. The reign of first and second king, Jigme Wangchuk is considered as the period of consolidation with various reforms in the country. The third King of Bhutan is known as the Father of Modern Bhutan, His Majesty the King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. He initiated planned development which led to the dramatic changes for the country and in 1971, he made the country a member of the United Nations which enhanced global role of the Kingdom.
Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the fourth King, in the line of succession in the Wangchuk dynasty was crowned in 1972 and became the youngest monarch in the world. His deep understanding of the social, cultural and economic needs of the country, the developments are steered by the objectives of Gross National Happiness, the new development philosophy of Bhutan. The current reigning king of Bhutan is Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the fifth Druk Gyalpo and his coronation took place in November 2008 which was followed from the commencement of democratic Bhutan in March 2008, the first national election to elect a government. The system of government in Bhutan is now Constitutional Democratic Monarchy.
Culture and its people
The culture of Bhutan is embedded with Buddhism and Bhutan is the only country in the world to have a Tantric Mahayana Buddhism, Drukpa Kagyu as its state religion. The Chief Abbot, Je Khenpo looks after the religious affairs of the country and enjoys the equal power to the King. Bhutanese language and literature, arts and crafts, drama, music, ceremonies and events, architecture, and basic social and cultural values draw their essence from Buddhism. In addition, secular performances such as dance, songs, traditional instrumental music, drama based on biographies of religious personalities hold a special place in the lives of the people as they play an important role in national, village, or domestic functions and festivals. Just as the Kingdom’s history is characterized by religious landmarks, the influence of religion is highly visible in everyday life. Hundreds of monasteries, stupas, religious institutions, prayer flags and prayer wheels mark the countryside, providing a strong infrastructure and atmosphere for the teachings of their living faith.
Agriculture is the backbone of Bhutan so almost 80% of Bhutan’s population live in rural areas where agriculture and subsistence farming are practiced. The people living higher altitudes rearing cattle and yaks so they lead a nomadic life heavily dominated by the seasons.
The Bhutanese are, by nature, physically strong and fiercely independent with an open and ready sense of humor. Hospitality is an in-built social value in Bhutan. People wear colorful dresses. The men wear a Gho, a long robe tied around the waist by a slim fabric belt, or Kera. Kira, the main garment of women, is an ankle length wrap-around dress secured by a belt around the waist, and fastened at the shoulders with silver brooches called Korma.
The people of Bhutan comprise of three ethnic groups: the Sharchops of the East, the Ngalops of the West and the Lhotshampas in the South which form the indigenous population known as the Drukpas. This diversity in ethnicity, as well as the geographic isolation of Bhutan’s highland villages, has resulted in the emergence of about 19 different languages and dialects spoken by different ethnic groups around the country. The national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, but schooling is done in English, which is widely spoken.
Climatic condition
The following are maximum and minimum temperatures (in Celsius) to be expected in towns across Bhutan throughout the year:
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | |||||||
| Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | |
| PARO | 9 | -6 | 13 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 18 | 5 | 24 | 11 | 25 | 13 |
| THIMPHU | 12 | -3 | 14 | 1 | 16 | 4 | 20 | 7 | 23 | 13 | 24 | 15 |
| PUNAKHA | 16 | 4 | 20 | 5 | 21 | 9 | 24 | 12 | 27 | 15 | 31 | 20 |
| WANGDI | 17 | 4 | 19 | 8 | 23 | 10 | 26 | 13 | 29 | 18 | 29 | 20 |
| TRONGSA | 13 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 20 | 7 | 21 | 12 | 22 | 14 |
| BUMTHANG | 11 | -5 | 10 | -1 | 16 | 4 | 19 | 4 | 21 | 10 | 23 | 14 |
| MONGAR | 16 | 8 | 16 | 8 | 20 | 12 | 23 | 14 | 25 | 17 | 26 | 20 |
| TASHIGANG | 20 | 11 | 22 | 12 | 25 | 14 | 28 | 17 | 30 | 21 | 31 | 23 |
| JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |||||||
| Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | |
| PARO | 26 | 14 | 25 | 14 | 23 | 11 | 18 | 7 | 13 | 1 | 11 | -2 |
| THIMPHU | 19 | 13 | 25 | 16 | 23 | 15 | 22 | 10 | 18 | 5 | 15 | -1 |
| PUNAKHA | 32 | 22 | 31 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 28 | 19 | 22 | 13 | 15 | 8 |
| WANGDI | 18 | 16 | 29 | 20 | 28 | 19 | 26 | 15 | 23 | 10 | 19 | 6 |
| TRONGSA | 25 | 15 | 24 | 15 | 23 | 14 | 22 | 12 | 20 | 6 | 18 | 3 |
| BUMTHANG | 14 | 11 | 23 | 14 | 22 | 12 | 20 | 6 | 16 | -1 | 12 | -2 |
| MONGAR | 16 | 16 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 19 | 23 | 16 | 20 | 11 | 16 | 10 |
| TASHIGANG | 32 | 23 | 30 | 23 | 30 | 24 | 29 | 18 | 26 | 14 | 23 | 12 |
| Rainfall | |||||||||||
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
| 25mm | 25mm | 25mm | 50mm | 50mm | 75mm | 355mm | 300mm | 125mm | 75mm | 25mm | 0 |
Festivals
Religious festivals, known as tsechus, are fundamental part of Bhutanese cultural life and are observed annually, across the kingdom. The festivals are dedicated to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) and other protective deities (such as Yeshe Gompo or Palden Lhamo). It symbolizes friendship, peace, reverence and compassion. The Tsechu festivals showcase the kingdom’s best religious dances dating from the Middle Ages, performed only once or twice a year by monks and laymen. People from all walks of life assemble in their finery to watch masked dances and rituals, to socialize and to rejoice.
You can check the list of festival dates for 2024 and a list of tentative festival dates for 2025 (Note: dates are subject to change)
