( Source : Daily Mirror Sri Lanka Page C 2 Life)
( http://www.dailymirror.lk/ )
Remarkable Culture of the Bhutan Kingdom
Monday, 07 November 2011By Srimal Fernando
The Kingdom of Bhutan is a land locked state located at the eastern end of the Himalayas. It is bordered to the south, east and west by India and to the north by China. The Bhutanese call their country the Land of Thunder Dragon and is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and entertainment as well as a recreational area for thrill seekers and adventurers. The country with a seven hundred thousand population has a unique and vibrant culture .Majority of the Bhutanese are divided linguistically into Sharchops,Ngalong and Lhotshampa. The countries natural and historical attractions appeal to many visitors from all parts of the world. Bhutan is a land of poets, ancient and modern arts and a great variety of cultures in a terrain with lakes, mountains and valleys. Bhutan is largely an agricultural society with fairly rich resources both for vegetable crops and animal husbandry. Although the country has deep Vajrayana Buddhism roots, the country is a highly secular nation which accommodates Hinduism, and several other minor religious communities with equal respect and pride. The people of the country are unified by a common history.
They are also united through a common language. Dzongkha. Bhutan art possesses several distinctive characteristics that give it its own unique style. There are grottos, temples and pagodas that are still there for the young generation to see and understand their roots and origin. The country has a long and rich history and respect of literature, religion, custom and national dress code. Bhutanese men wear Gho, a longish robe tied around the waist by a cloth belt, known as Kera. The women wear an ankle length dress known as Kira which is made of bright colored fine woven fabric with traditional patterns. Religion has an over whelming influence in Bhutanese architecture .The castle like Dzongs with their gently tapering wall with classical lines large courtyards and beautiful galleries are among the finest examples for this architecture. The capital, Thimphu is a bustling affluent town with glitzy shopping malls, boutiques and colorful markets which houses the intellectual elite as well as the seat of the government. Thimphu has many places of interest. Some of the prominent landmarks in Thimphu are The Royal Place, Tashichho Dzong or “Fortress of the Glorious Religion” The bronze statue of Buddha, overlooking Thimphu city ,the National Library,The National Assembly,the SAARC building and the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) Secretariat, Taj Tashi,The Clock Tower Square the ‘Thimphu Chorten’ memorial and the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA). The concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) has its origin in Bhutan. One of whose four pillars is preservation and promotion of cultural values. The country and the people have the perfect attributes and credentials as a warm and generous host. Bhutan is renowned for the monarchy who is heading the transition to democracy and empowering the people.The country captured the interest of the entire world in recent months. The Royal Wedding of His Majesty The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Royal Bride Ashi Jetsun Pema held on the auspicious day of 13 th October, 2011 at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimpu gave Bhutan a progressive and a positive image.
The country has tended to preserve its traditional music, theater and dance separately from new developments offering visitors the opportunity to experience an ancient form as much as they were hundreds of years ago. The music and dance of the country are extremely colorful and are a source of entertainment and enjoyment for the people of the country.
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