Bhutan - Monk Body Returns to Thimphu

The monk body associated with the Je Khenpo, Bhutanese buddhists equvalent to the Roman Pope, spends the winter month in the large and beautiful Punakha Dzong situated in the warm southern part of the country. Sometime in May the monks and the Je Khenpo return to their summer residence in the capital town Thimphu. The return is a significant and celebrated event for the residents of Thimphu.

The journey from Punakha had taken many days. In each town the monks passed through, they stopped to bestow blessings to the people they found waiting there.

The day the monks were to arrived in Thimphu was hot and very sunny. By nine in the morning school children, in the uniforms worn for special occassions, lined the street. Very soon after that other groups and individuals began lining both sides of the main road. I am sure the formal kiras and ghos that everyone was wearing made it seem even hotter. Although it was uncertain just what time the arrival would take place and despite the heat, the people waited patiently. The wait for most was about a four hour one.

At noon we - Tashi, Ugyen, Tobgay* and I - went in search of a spot for our lunch the lunch that we had brought.

Just for fun, before going on to the arriving monks, I will show you our picnic spot that was situated right next to a big black bull ( tied to a stake, happily! ) and right along side a tiny not quite one lane road. Mid - picnic a very large and colorful truck came down the not quite one lane road and we had to pack up and back up so that he could negotiate on by us. You could hardly ask more of a memorable picnic! ( although there WAS more as the food was not just welcome but yummy!)

* You have met all three in previous posts.