Breakfast at the Temple

Nov 9, 2023
4 min read

From the Itinerary: 13 October 2023 (Friday) - Punakha Early this morning, you will begin your hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten. You will be driven to the suspension bridge and hike only about 45 minutes. This three storey lhakhang is a recent addition to Bhutan's string of architecturally splendid buildings. Built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon, it houses representations of the tantric form of Buddhist deities that subjugate enemies and ward off harmful influences on the people of Bhutan. Built for the protection of the country and the present King, Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten also offers impressive views of the valley below. We will carry a packed breakfast with us. Enjoy your packed breakfast in this serene setting before other guests start arriving on top of the hill. After breakfast, you will be taken for a show around of the temple. Drive back to hotel for lunch. Later in the afternoon drive to visit the Punakha dzong. Constructed in 1637, this was the second dzong to be built in Bhutan, and for many years served as its seat of government. Widely referred to as the most beautiful dzong in the country, the towering white walls form a lovely contrast to the surrounding greens and blues. It is the winter residence of the central monastic body, and holds a very important relic over which many wars were fought with the Tibetans. All of Bhutan's kings are crowned here before they can take their throne in Thimphu. The dzong’s magnificence is especially striking in the spring when the lilac- coloured jacaranda trees are in full bloom. Next, you will drive to visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. Perched on a ridge amongst the pine trees gleams the magnificent structure of the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang. This temple houses a 14 ft (4.2 m) bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara, made by local Bhutanese artisans. Other statutes include those of The Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, and the 21 Taras. The temple complex also houses a permanent school of higher learning and a meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious training, provides vocational training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting. Here you will participate in a Tshewang (blessing) ceremony. It is a prayer for personal empowerment, wish fulfilment and a healthy life. The prayer will last approximately 30 minutes, during which you will participate in the lighting up of butter lamps as well.

Friday October 13 from the itinerary-

Finally saw the view from my tent which was beautiful and looking over a river valley.

There are small yellow birds flying around which might be slender beak orioles.

We had a mile hike up 800 feet to a local temple where breakfast was served. We started by crossing a bridge with a lot of prayer flags - wondering if they are prayers that the bridge won't collapse:)

Along the way we saw or heard:

Roufus woodpecker

Shrike

Oriental magpie

Spotted dove

Grey treepie

Barking deer

Common kestrel

Mina bird

As we climbed some lovely views opened

The temple complex was very pretty

Breakfast was on a small hill overlooking the temple area. Amazing cinnamon buns! When we climbed up the temple we got an arial view of the breakfast area.

The return was about another 1.7 miles all the way back to the hotel (down hill). The path took us down to the river. Along the way we saw some of the small shrines we nicknamed muffins.

We saw some beautiful butterflies along the way, including a “common Helen”, and a common peacock.

At the last bridge there was a monk who was to bless a set of prayer flags for me. I then hung the prayer flags on the bridge to be blown in the wind.

I noticed that the architecture has rocks on each roof. Here is also the entrance to my "tent" in daylight. The third photo is on the way to lunch.

Lunch was outdoors and next to the river.

There were also birds which included:

Common kingfisher

Plumbeous redstart- male and female

White-capped Redstart

After lunch I got set up with a local sim card and went off to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery where I received a blessing. After the monk finished his chants which took several minutes, he tied a yellow cord around my wrist which I'm not supposed to take off for 3 days. At that point I'm to put it around a tree so the blessing can be disbursed on the wind.

Then we went back to the Punakha dzong which was just as impressive during the day.

On the way back we stopped for drinks along the river side. Some strangers, other tourists, came by to have their picture taken with us.

The afternoon was for relaxation and I had a brief swim in the pool. Just before dinner I took advantage of a free massage which was included because the spa wasn't open yet.

Dinner was under the stars and was a brai. I say this because a brai is a South African BBQ and the chef was from South Africa. The trees had faery lights which were nice. The weather turned and rain started.