Bhutan- The fulfilment of a long-held dream! (The conclusion!)

Kyichu Lhakhang, back to Phuentsholing via Chukha, Bagdogra and finally back to pavillion!

The time to head back was almost upon us. It felt as if we would never get enough of this amazing, peaceful place that shares a border with our country, but is as different as can be. A country that not only takes pride in their unique culture, but actively works towards preserving it; a country ably led by a charismatic and humble ruler who not only thinks about the present generation, but the future generation as well; a country that is firmly traditional, but at the same time is actively incorporating the modern values where essential. Believe it or not, each of us had googled if there was any way we could become Bhutanese citizens!! (Turns out, the only practical way to do that is marry a Bhutanese 😁)

FOUR HARMONIUS FRIENDS: One of the most universally seen paintings across Bhutan, with a beautiful meaning. The painting is said to symbolize environmental and social harmony. The bird on top plants the seed for the tree, the rabbit waters it, the monkey fertilizes it and the elephant guards it. This is used to teach the importance of mutual respect amongst the people, as well as the importance of preserving the environment. Wish we had such powerful imagery universally displayed here!

 The agenda for today was a visit to the Kyichu temple or the Kyichu Lhakhang. This temple is one of the oldest in Bhutan; it is famous for being the home of four mandarin trees that bear fruit year-round! We reached the temple around 9.30 am. The temple premises are extremely beautiful, with lots of flowering plants and fruit bearing trees around the perimeter. The four mandarin trees are planted right outside the main temple, and were actually heavily laden with fruit, even though it was not the season for mandarins!! Our guide told us that it is forbidden to pluck the fruit, but if a fruit falls to the ground, it is considered to a divine blessing and can be consumed. Some paintings dating to the 17th century adorn the walls leading into the temple-complex. Though the paintings were in poor shape, they were still awe-inspiring.The guide took us around the four different shrines that were a part of the temple complex. He even told us an amusing story to demonstrate the power of Red Tara, who is the goddess of love (similar to Cupid). It is said that no matter how ugly a man or a woman is, if that person has prayed to the Red Tara in their previous birth, the opposite sex will throw themselves at the person; whereas even an extremely handsome/beautiful person will not have the attention of the opposite sex if they have not worshiped the Red Tara in their previous birth!!! He was urging the unmarried amongst us to pray to the Red Tara 😀😀😀😀 . Many more amusing stories and another divine meditation session later, it was time to head back. 

The four famous mandarin trees that bear fruit year round! PC- Sameer

Have you seen an apple tree laden with so many ripe fruits?PC: Sameer

With a heavy heart, we drove back to Phuentsholing via Chukha. I mention Chukha here to recount a lovely experience we had at a restaurant where we stopped for lunch. The food here is quite delicious, which we were unable to truly appreciate due to B's abominable behaviour. But on the way back, since he had gotten his act together, we really enjoyed hot dosas and masala chai. After finishing our lunch, we saw a pretty largish dog sitting on the steps and were contemplating whether to befriend him or not. But he solved our dilemma by actually holding out his right paw!! My heart turned to mush right there, and had it been possible, I would've brought him back with us 💓. 

The gentlemanly Mr. Creampuff! PC- Shweta

Next morning, it was time for us to head back. With enough lovely memories to last a lifetime, we reached Pune after a long journey. There is so much to learn from the tiny, land-locked country. I for one, am definitely going back to Bhutan for a much longer visit!