Saturday, March 31, 2018
The most important day of the Paro Tshechu is the big reveal of the largest silk Thangkha of Guru Padmasambhava at 3am. We weren’t quite so devoted so we waited until 6am to go. Most impressive display and lots of locals paying their respects including the King of Bhutan! He actually walked right by us on his red carpet, but again no pix allowed.
After breakfast in town, started our 5 hour drive to Punaka via the Dochula Pass (3140 m). Unfortunately it was quite overcast, so not the best view of the Himalayas. 108 beautiful stupas built by the eldest Queen Mom (the King married 4 sisters).
Lunch near the pass then descended to the Punaka Valley. Visited the Chiming Lhakhang temple of fertility founded by “the divine madman”, sort of a Bhutanese Rasputin.
Lastly, visited the Punaka Dzong at the confluence of the Pho (male) and Mo (female) rivers (Chu). Stunning location and most impressive fort.
