voyage-vista.comTiger’s Nest Monastery of Bhutan: Unveiling the Mystique
Serenity is the nature of Bhutan, and natural beauty is its identity. Geographically, Bhutan is a country’sandwiched’ between two super-giant landmasses, India and China. Surrounded by land on all four sides, the northern border of this picturesque mountainous region touches the Chinese-dominated Tibet, while the remaining three-way borders are with India’s Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal. In the enchanting realm of Bhutan, nestled amidst the lush emerald forests of the Paro Valley, there lies an architectural wonder that has captured the imaginations of travelers and spiritual seekers alike for centuries: the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Perched precariously on the cliffs of the Himalayas, this sacred site is a testament to both human determination and the profound spirituality that permeates the Bhutanese culture.
A Glimpse into the Bhutanese Mystique
Bhutan, often referred to as the “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” is a nation steeped in mystique and deeply rooted in Vajrayana Buddhism. Its serene landscapes, vibrant monasteries, and the aura of spirituality that engulfs the land make it a unique and intriguing destination for travelers seeking more than just picturesque landscapes.
Bhutan’s Historical Odyssey: From Ancient Origins to Modern Sovereignty
Bhutan’s history is said to be four thousand years old, but written evidence to confirm this is not available. Buddhist guru Rinpoche arrived here in the mid-seventh century, and historical records are found from that time. This Buddhist monk not only spread Buddhism in Bhutan but also organized a nation that was divided into scattered provinces earlier. In the seventeenth century, the British began to establish a foothold in India. A century or so later, Bhutan was ruled by the British.
In 1772, the British East India Company’s armed forces invaded Bhutan. The natives fought for two years but eventually succumbed to the military might of the British. Peace was signed between the two powers on April 25, 1774. After one hundred years, the people of Bhutan went to war
against the British. Britain established a monarchy here with its political power. The throne was handed over to a local named Ugen Wangchuck. With the independence of India in August 1947, Bhutan automatically came under the guardianship of India.
India has been responsible for its foreign policy and defense ever since. The two countries have close friendly relations, according to which Indians do not need visas to visit Bhutan. Currently, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck is the King of Bhutan. Here, the king is also revered as a religious leader.
Unraveling the Name Bhutan: Myths and Meanings
There are some interesting stories about the name Bhutan. As such, Bhutan is said to have been formed from the combination of the words ‘land’ and ‘uplift’ (Bhu + Utthan), meaning a country situated on a high hill. Another saying is that the word Bhutan is derived from the words ‘Bhaut’ and ‘ant’, which means ‘the end of the land of Tibet’. The local name of Bhutan is ‘Druk Yul’, which according to some people means land of brown hills; according to others, it means land of roaring dragons. Some call it ‘Lho Mon’ meaning the dark region of the south, while others call it ‘Lyo Mon Jong’ meaning the region of southern herbs.
Bhutan’s Diverse Geography: From Majestic Mountains to Sacred Monasteries
Nestled in the Himalayas, Bhutan has a unique geography. The northern region is more mountainous than the southern region, with towering peaks such as Kula Kangri at 7,528 meters (about 24,000 feet). Thimphu, the largest city in the western part of the country, is the capital of Bhutan. Another major town west of Thimphu is ‘Paro’, which is the gateway to Bhutan’s holiest Buddhist monastery, ‘Paro Takshang’ meaning ‘Tiger’s Nest’.
A memorable trekking experience
The city of Paro is situated at an altitude of about 7,200 feet above sea level. From here, one can reach Tiger’s Nest Monastery in about half an hour by private vehicle. The tiger’s nest can be reached by a steep climb of about 3,000 feet from the foothills. The track, including coming and going, is about 12 kilometers. Most tourists enjoy the trek on foot, while some go on horses. Although it is possible to cover only fifty percent of the distance on horseback, the rest of the way has to be plowed by forced foot travel.
The Tiger’s Nest trek starts at the taxi stand. Standing here for a while, starting from the feet and gradually raising the sight, one sees the sandy soil and the green vegetation of the ghat (a mountain pass). sitting a little ahead, then a row of tall trees standing behind one another, and beyond it a big rock of a high hill as if chiseled from the middle and torn apart. The white, ocher, and golden-colored structure on this rock is the Tiger’s Nest! The local people also call the monastery ‘Paro Taksang’. The trek is physically tiring, as you have to gain a lot of altitude in a short distance to reach here. Perhaps that is why average trekkers feel overwhelmed by the challenge of visiting Tiger’s Nest.
The trek begins on an almost level plain. The dirt road is quite wide. It is a hilly road, so rocky too. Somewhere, due to soil erosion, the roots of trees have come up from the ground. A little further on, a stone painting of ‘Guru Padmasambhava‘ is seen. Below this rock are small circular stupas, which are symbols of the tombs of Buddhist gurus. Inside each stupa are the bones of the deceased. Buddhist lamas on their way to the Tiger’s Nest do not miss stopping here to pay their respects to the dead.
Ahead of the stupa is a water spring, which seems to flow through a small, paved room. This flow keeps a prayer wheel spinning in the room. Among Buddhists, prayer wheels and flags are very important. They strongly believe that turning the prayer wheel leads to the destruction of sin and the attainment of virtue. It is also believed by Buddhists that flags fluttering in the air infuse divine energy into the surrounding air and prevent demonic forces from approaching.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery can be seen from a long distance due to its height. The white-maroon and bright yellow colors on the gray background constantly attract attention. Because of the crooked road, it appears in an hour and then disappears in an hour, like the game of hide-and-seek. Reaching at half way of ascending takes about one and a half hour. From here on, as riding on horses is forbidden, everyone has to go on foot. One can buy artistic face masks, prayer wheels, gift articles, etc. as Bhutanese symbols.
During a light break with tea and water, the impressive construction of Tiger’s Nest can be seen besides the beautiful view of Paro Valley and scenic views of the fields. Looking at it expectantly, a human face appears to rise on a solid mountain whose head hair is framed by trees; a part of the uplifted rock forms the shape of a nose; and the naturally left-right hollows in the rock give the impression of eyes. Ask any guide or Buddhist lama about that facial expression, and they will immediately say that the ‘face’ seen in the rock is that of the Buddhist Guru Padmasambhava. This monk came to Paro Taksang, i.e., Tiger’s Nest, during the eighth century and spread the message of Buddhism.
Due to a lack of time or physical limitations, some tourists return from half way with the satisfaction of seeing the monastery. But the real fun lies in further trekking from here. There are two routes from Taksang Cafeteria: one is a short but steep climb; the second is a slightly longer but relatively less steep climb. Whichever route you choose, the time taken doesn’t differ by more than half an hour.
In the second leg of the trek, starting from ‘Half Way’, one gets the pleasure of enjoying the natural beauty of the hills. Sometimes you get short of breath during the steep climb, and
sometimes you have to descend. A gentle uphill that gives relief, then a flat road that can be run! This diversity keeps adding an element of innovation to tracking. After covering some distance, a break can be taken at a place known as a photo point. From here, one gets a wonderful panoramic view of the Paro Valley, and the Tiger’s Nest is clearly visible. Most of the pictures of this Buddhist monastery are taken from the photo point itself. As the monastery stands on the edge of a high, rocky hill at eye level, it seems as though we are about to get there. But the real physical test begins now. Reaching the monastery from the photo point is actually not as easy as it looks.
From here, one has to descend the steps first and then immediately climb to gain height. The climb is steep, and the number of steps is about 800. The road to Tiger’s Nest is 10,000 feet above sea level. Since the amount of oxygen in the air is less here than in the plains, the muscles have to work harder to provide the body with the oxygen it needs. As a result, the act of breathing becomes rapid and gasps. Resting places have been provided at many places along the way.
After climbing the steps along the turning path, the view of the waterfall falling from a height of 200 feet is mind-blowing. Fatigue is forgotten, and the body feels refreshed. This waterfall is a sign of reaching Tiger’s Nest. Red, brown, green, white, and yellow ‘Dharmadhajas’ (religious flags) look very beautiful against the blue background of the sky. Buddhist devotees show their faith in Lord Buddha by tying flags here.
Mountain residents of Guru Padmasambhava
Cameras must be deposited with shoes, as photography is strictly prohibited in the Tiger’s Nest. Like almost every Buddhist monastery, Tiger’s Nest also has a beautiful view of the valley. There is a prayer wheel on the veranda of the monastery. Every morning, the Buddhist monk of the monastery turns the prayer wheel and prays. Tiger’s Nest is actually a complex of four temples. All four temples are connected by steps carved out of stone and wooden bridges. There are also many caves located in the gorge that can be visited. But the cave where Dharma Guru Padmasambhava meditated is opened only once a year, and many devotees come here in large numbers.
Guru Padmasambhava holds the most revered position after Lord Buddha. He came to Tiger’s Nest riding a tiger. Hence, a gigantic sculpture of a tiger has been placed in a large room of the monastery. In one of the rooms, there is a huge statue of Guru Padmasambhava, which naturally raises the question in the mind: how could it have been brought here? By asking this question to the guide, one can hear folklore like this:
At one time, idols of Padmasambhava were made in Punakha. When at last one idol was left, the idolaters wondered where to place this idol? According to folklore, then a voice came from the
idol saying that it should be taken to the tiger’s nest. The problem in following this ‘order’ was that the road leading to the Tiger’s Nest was narrow and the size of the idol was huge. Buddhist monks suggested to the idolater that he cut the idol into three parts, take the three separate pieces to the tiger’s nest, and finally combine all three. Idols once again spoke. Padmasambhava asked all the monks to leave the idols in their place and proceed to the Tiger’s Nest. The order was obeyed. Buddhist lamas headed to Tiger’s Nest. As they entered the hill, they saw that the idol of Padmasambhava had already arrived before them. It may be surprising to know all this, but it is only surprising if there are no modern folklore associated with religious places.
The second interesting story is from the fire in Tiger’s Nest in 1998. Everything was consumed by the terrible fire. This time, only the idol of Guru Padmasambhava was untouched! Devotees believe that when the fire broke out, the idol of Padmasambhava automatically rose from the second floor and escaped the fire itself!
Fascinating legends about the Idols in the Monasteries
Like the Padmasambhava idol, the Tiger’s Nest also has certain legends associated with it. According to one tradition, In the eighth century BC, when Guru Padmasambhava was wandering around looking for a place to meditate, his disciple (wife) Yeshe Tsogyal took the form of a ferocious tigress. Guru Padmasambhava was brought here from Tibet by riding on her back. He liked this place with many caves for meditation. Here he meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days, and three hours. To destroy the demonic elements, he attained the monstrous forms of tigers and eagles. Today, paintings of these avatars are found in the caves of Tiger’s Nest Mountain.
Certain colors, such as ocher, bright yellow, and white, are mostly used in Buddhist monasteries. They are of great importance in Buddhist architecture. Yellow and ocher are considered sacred colors, while white is the color of peace. All three colors are used freely in holy places like temples and monasteries. Since Tiger’s Nest was built, temples and idols have been added to it. A natural calamity rained here several times, and construction was done anew. When there was a terrible fire in 1998, the entire monastery was burned out. The one seen today is the result of a multi-million dollar reconstruction by the King of Bhutan in 2005.
Many people from the country and abroad come to enjoy Tiger’s Nest Trekking. Some people spend a week to a fortnight practicing meditation. They say that they feel deep in their hearts to spend this precious time here in quiet peace. We may not get a chance to experience such a thrill at the price of time, but we can surely cool our eyes with the natural beauty by trekking to the Tiger’s Nest at a height of ten thousand feet.
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery: An Architectural Marvel
Perched at an altitude of 3,120 meters (10,240 feet), the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, locally known as “Paro Taktsang,” stands as a marvel of architectural ingenuity. It clings to the edge of a sheer cliff, seemingly defying gravity and offering a breathtaking view of the Paro Valley below.
Legends and Lore:
Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Bhutan, flew to this very spot on the back of a tigress, thus earning the monastery its evocative name. He meditated here for three years, three months, three weeks, and three days, leaving behind an aura of spirituality that continues to draw pilgrims and tourists from all corners of the globe.
A Spiritual Journey
The journey to Tiger’s Nest is not just a physical one but a spiritual odyssey. Pilgrims and tourists alike embark on a challenging trek, navigating through dense forests and steep inclines. The trail, adorned with prayer flags fluttering in the mountain breeze, adds to the sense of reverence and anticipation that builds as you ascend.
Spiritual Significance: The monastery is not just an architectural marvel but also a symbol of Bhutan’s deep spiritual roots. It houses several temples and meditation halls where monks and devotees gather to seek enlightenment and inner peace. The walls resonate with the chants of Buddhist scriptures, creating an atmosphere of profound spirituality.
The Awe-Inspiring Interior
Entering the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is like stepping into a different world altogether. The intricate frescoes, elaborately carved statues, and the scent of incense permeating the air transport visitors to a realm of tranquility and introspection.
Artistry Beyond Compare: The monastery’s interior is a testament to Bhutanese craftsmanship. Murals depicting the life of Guru Padmasambhava and intricate mandalas adorn the walls, leaving visitors in awe of the meticulous artistry that has gone into creating this sacred space.
The View from the Top
Reaching the pinnacle of the Tiger’s Nest trek is a momentous achievement. The panoramic view from this vantage point is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas stretch as far as the eye can see, and the valleys below seem to whisper ancient tales of Bhutan’s history.
Photographer’s Paradise: For photography enthusiasts, this spot offers a wealth of opportunities to capture the sheer beauty of Bhutan’s natural landscape. The play of light and shadow on the monastery’s facade during different times of the day adds an ethereal quality to the photographs.
Points you must know for visiting the place:
When visiting the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan, it’s important to keep several key points in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:
Perfect time of the year: The time between March and May can be considered ideal. As the spring season is going on at this time, it is a treat for the eyes to visit the blossoming nature. If you intend to trek, this season should be chosen. Paro festival is celebrated in April. June to September is the off-season, while September to November is the fall season. The daytime temperature is around 25 degrees, and the sky is clear. As around 75% of visitors come during this period, it is advisable to plan the trip in advance. December to March is a harsh winter, with temperatures sometimes dropping below zero.
Transportation: Air travel is a great option to save time. Bhutan’s Paro Airport is connected to Delhi by air. Hasimra on the Tibetan border can be reached by train from places like Kolkata, Delhi, Ranchi and Kanpur. Bhutan can also be reached by road from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. Apart from this, Funshiling can be reached through Jaigaon in West Bengal. From here, the permit is obtained. Those arriving by air have to get a permit from Paro. Two passport-size photographs, proof of hotel booking, and a photo ID are musts to carry. For more information, visit: www.tourism.gov.bt
Accommodation: Food and lodging facilities in Bhutan are adequate. The details are given on the website of Bhutan Tourism: www.tourism.gov.bt
Physical Fitness: The trek to Tiger’s Nest involves a steep ascent and can be physically demanding. Ensure you are in reasonably good shape before attempting the hike.
Appropriate Clothing: Dress modestly and in layers. Bhutan is a conservative country, and it’s respectful to cover your arms and legs. Wear comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing and sturdy walking shoes or boots with good grip.
Altitude Awareness: The monastery is located at a high altitude, so be mindful of symptoms of altitude sickness, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches. Acclimatize slowly if you are coming from lower altitudes.
Carry Essentials: Bring essentials like water, a first-aid kit, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and insect repellent. Snacks and energy bars can also be helpful during the trek.
Respectful Behavior: Tiger’s Nest is a sacred site. Maintain a respectful demeanor, speak softly, and follow any guidelines or rules provided by the monastery.
Photography Etiquette: Photography is usually allowed outside the monastery, but it’s important to ask for permission before taking photos inside. Be respectful of religious artifacts and people at prayer.
Litter-Free Zone: Bhutan places a strong emphasis on environmental conservation. Carry out all your trash and litter to maintain the pristine beauty of the area.
Guided Tours: Consider hiring a local guide who can provide insights into the history and significance of the monastery. They can also offer assistance and support during the trek.
Timing: Tiger’s Nest Monastery closes for an hour in the afternoon. Entry timings are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Open until 6 p.m. from October to March.
Rest Stops: There are rest stops along the trail where you can take a break, enjoy refreshments, and soak in the breathtaking views.
Respect Local Customs: Bhutanese culture is deeply rooted in tradition. If you encounter locals, greet them with a respectful “Kuzuzangpo La” and consider learning a few basic phrases in Dzongkha, the national language.
Permit: Ensure you have the necessary permits to visit Tiger’s Nest. These can usually be obtained through a tour operator or the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
Entry to the monastery is not free. Tickets must be purchased.
* Tiger’s Nest is considered a very sacred place in Bhutan, so decorum must be maintained.
By keeping these points in mind, you can have a memorable and respectful visit to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan.
Conclusion
In the heart of Bhutan, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery stands not just as an architectural marvel but as a testament to the profound spirituality that defines this mystical land. It is a place where legends come to life, where spirituality finds its sanctuary, and where the beauty of nature and human craftsmanship converge. Visiting the Tiger’s Nest is not just a journey; it’s a pilgrimage into the heart and soul of Bhutan.
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