Bhutan, officially known as the Kingdom of Bhutan (is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas, located between China and India. "Druk Yul," or "land of the thunder dragon" as Bhutan is known, has been heavily influenced by Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism from the land immediately to its north. Nepal and Bangladesh are located in close proximity to Bhutan but do not share a land border. The country has a population of over 754,000 and a territory of 38,394 square kilometers (14,824 sq mi) which ranks 133rd in terms of land area, and 160th in population. Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy with Vajrayana Buddhism as the state religion.
The Dochu La ( Dochu
Pass, la means pass in Dzongkha) is a mountain pass in the snow covered
Himalayas within Bhutan on the road from Thimphu to Punakha where 108 memorial
chortens or stupas known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens" have been built
by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. Apart from the chortens
there is a monastery called the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple), built in honour
of the fourth Druk Gyalpo (head of the state of Bhutan), Jigme Singye
Wangchuck; the open grounds in its front yard is a venue for the annual Dochula
Druk Wangyel Festival. The pass with 108 memorial chortens is adjacent to the
country's first Royal Botanical Park.
The most convenient way
to reach Dochula Pass is by hiring a car fron Thinphu. It is an overall 2 hours
ride fron Thimphu to Dochula Pass. If travelers are feeling adventuruos they
can also hike their way to Dochula pass as the route leading to Dochula is
reckoned for being one of the most pictorial roads in Bhutan.
The pass is located at an
elevation of 3,100 metres (10,200 ft) (3,140 metres (10,300 ft) and 3,150
metres (10,330 ft) are also mentioned) on the East West Road from Thimphu to
Punakha and further east in the Himalayas amidst the Eastern Himalayan snow-covered
mountains. To the east of the pass, the snow clad mountain peaks of the
Himalayas are seen prominently and among them is the Mt. Masanggang at 7,158
metres (23,484 ft) which is the highest peak in Bhutan, known in local language
as the Mt. Gangkar Puensum. The road east of the pass runs steep for some
distance and then takes a left turn towards Punakha Valley to the Punakha
Dzong, in Punakha (the old capital of Bhutan), which is located at the
confluence of two rivers. Further east the road reaches Wangdi Phodrong where
there a 7th-century monastery on the ridge, and the valley is drained by the
Punatsangchu River. The pass was part of ancient trails or tracks between
Thimphu and Punakha, such as the Dochu La Nature Trail (1.2 kilometres (0.75
mi)) which begins at the Dochu La cafe and meets the present road at Lamperi,
and the Lumitsawa Ancient Trail (4.7 kilometres (2.9 mi)) that joins the main
road at Lumitsawa. Both trails are sections of the original route.
The weather at the pass generally
remains foggy and chilly. However, between October and February, panoramic
views of the Bhutan Himalayas can be seen. The forest cover on the slopes of
the pass consists of cypress trees. The hill slopes around the pass are
festooned with a profusion of colourful religious flags fixed by the Buddhist
people as a mark of veneration. The flags, made in five colours representing
the natural forces, — "blue (sky), white (clouds), red (fire), green
(water) and yellow (earth)" – are inscribed with Buddhist scriptural
prayers to usher prosperity and peace around the country. After the Losar
festival in February, which marks the Bhutanese New Year, and as the snow
melts, the pass provides a spectacle of many species of flowers such as the
Primula denticulata, Primula bracteosa and in the subsequent month rhododendrons
bloom in profusion. Magnolia campbellii also bloom on the pass during this
period.Another fragrant plant, which people come to enjoy, is the Daphne which
is a small shrub which blooms with white flowers amidst an array of prayer
flags that are fixed on the slopes. The bark of this plant is used to make
paper which is a traditional paper used for writing religious scriptures as it
is termite free
Bhutanese families enjoy
visiting the pass during holidays and weekends to picnic and simply enjoy the
scenery. It is common to see families and groups of friends seated amongst the
chortens, enjoying a packed lunch and hot tea. For tourists this is an ideal
location to capture beautiful pictures of the Himalayan mountain range during
clear, warm days.
The landmarks around the
pass include 108 Druk Wangyal Khang Zhang Chortens or stupas, the Druk Wangyal
Lhakhang (temple), and the rhododendron garden which is part of the 47 km2
Royal Botanical Park.
Sources :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhutan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dochula_Pass
https://www.bhutan.travel/attractions/dochula
https://northbengaltourism.com/dochula-pass/
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