RAVIs: August 2014

BHUTAN & SHILLONG

2012

11 May Fri Day Delhi To Guwahati by Spice SG 893, Dep 15.20 arr 17.40.

Night Halt at AF Base Guwahati.

12 May Sat day To Paro by Druk KB 141 Dep 06.30 arr 07.30 on

16 May Wed To Guwahati by Druk KB 140 Dep 10.50 arr 11.15

21 May Mon Day Guwahati To Delhi by Jet 9W2277on Dep 16.55

arr 18.15

Distances

Paro to Thimpu 55 km 1.15 hours,

Thimpu To Dachula Pass 1 hour

12 May Sat Day, Arr in Paro 7.30 and drive to Thimpu 55 Km 1.15 hours At Thimpu

Thimpu Valley from air

Officers Mess Thimpu

Dahula Pass

Dahula pass

Went to Dahula Pass 1 hour. you need Permit to travel to Dahula Pass and beyound.

13 May Thimphu

Took Taxi to see Buddha Point. It is at a height but was still under construction. Will take another 3 years for completion.

Takin

Drive to Takin Reserve. Takin is National animal of Bhutan. Drukpa Kunley, who was also a proficient tantric, was requested by the people of Bhutan during one of his religious lectures to conjure a miracle before them. The saint agreed to do so. He first devoured the food of Goat and cow. He then took out the head of the goat and fixed it to the skeleton of the cow ,with a snap, he created this live animal, which had the head of the goat and the body of the cow

On return see national Assembly, Kings Palace from distance ONLY. Inside going is not allowed.

Evening after Lunch, saw Kings Memorial Chorten.

Chortan

City Center Thimpu

14 May Paro

Afternoon in Paro visited Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum.Gompa and Dist Head quaters

15 May : Paro: Taktsang Monastery, commonly known as Tigers Nest Monastry is approx 5 hrs walking excursion. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. The monastery is located 10 kilometres to the north of Paro and hangs on a precipitous cliff at 3,120 metres (10,240 ft), about 900 metres (3,000 ft) above the Paro Valley, Took 2 hours to Half Point and returned. Has 100 stairs to go down and 300 stairs to go up.

Tigers Nest

Mid way to Tigers Nest

Tigers Nest Monastery

16 May Flt to Guwahati

Dinner with Col D K Chakaborty and shopping.

17 May Morning visited Kamkhya Temple. VIP tkt Rs500,but talk to any Panda and tell him for Darshan by paying Rs500 after Darshan else min 4 hours reqd.

Guwahati Kamakhya Temple
Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati which is dedicated to the goddess Kamakshya or Sati, the consort of Lord Shiva.

This temple stands on the Nilachala Hill, 8 kms. away from Guwahati. This temple is believed to be an ancient Khasi sacrificial site and has been a well known centre for Tantric Hinduism. The deity was installed where the limb of Sati fell when, according to a legend, Vishnu cut asunder her body so that Shiva did not see her dead and start his dance of destruction. The temple, according to another legend was built by Narkasur, a king mentioned in the Mahabharata. This temple was rebuilt in 1665 after the original 10th century temple was destroyed by a Brahmin who had become a Muslim convert in the 16th century.

After Lunch by AC bus to Shillong.Reached guest house organised by Air Marshal S Varthaman.