Building mountains

Rich in natural beauty and one of the few thriving places in ancient times Buddhist cultureBhutan stands for the preservation of centuries-old customs and traditions among other countries as well as historical monuments of great religious importance. The rulers of the country have voluntarily chosen to isolate themselves from the outside world and maintain their religious beliefs, customs and traditions, as well as their pleasant way of life. The agrarian society influenced by Buddhism is well looked after by the government, which also draws inspiration and insight from royal rulers and religious leaders.

Bhutanese cultural tradition

Bhutan is rich in culture and tradition and has since opened its doors to tourists. However, a limited number of foreign visitors each year are able to preserve its religious and natural environment to maintain arduous continuity. The Bhutan tourism The council has strict entry criteria for travelers, according to which they have to pay the travel costs in full before they travel in order to obtain a visa.

Here are some traditions of Bhutan that visitors should do well to accept / respect during their visit.

lifestyle

The locals follow a simple and complete lifestyle based on Buddhist culture and religion. The people here put little white flags on their rooftops to indicate that they have pleased the local deities. They have their food cross-legged on the wooden floor and serve the head of the family first. A piece of food is given as an offering to the spirits before the food is consumed.

When food is first offered, it is customary to sing „Meshu Meshu” and politely cover your mouth once or twice before accepting the food!

Both men and women are considered equal, with men moving with their wife’s family after marriage in some parts of the country.

Kira traditional clothing of Bhutan

Bhutanese wear their traditional costumes according to the law. The men wear Gho outfits (Bhutan’s national costume), while the women wear Kiara with a wr-around skirt. The richly embroidered scarves worn by men and women are a sign of their social status and are worn when meeting with officers and other special occasions. One particular etiquette or code is „driglam namza,” which governs all aspects of life, from behavior, dress code, communication protocols, marital responsibility, eating habits, and more.

Religion and mythology

The ritual is practiced with zeal and awe. Religious sites and monuments, stupas, and prayer flags are extremely important. As they walk through places of worship, people make sure their right side is closest to the structure as a sign of respect. They turn their prayer wheels clockwise. Shoes are left outside of religious sites and temples. Interestingly, all of the arts in the country are based on religious themes, are anonymous, and have no particular aesthetic purpose!

religious places of Bhutan

mythology also has a huge impact on the local people who are usually quite conservative. Falus are painted on the outside of houses to ward off evil. It is believed that a divine madman once protected humans by using his phallus to defeat evil forces.

Dogs are highly valued by locals who believe that in the next life they will take on human form because they are the highest of all animal life forms.

Birth and death

There is no gender discrimination. Nobody, art from the immediate family, is allowed to see the newborn and mother before the purification ceremony three days after the birth. The children are named after their local deity and the first and last names are the same for the people. First names marked with a valley, village, or household name usually help identify the person. However, you cannot infer the person’s gender from their name.

Lifestyle beliefs are widespread, and funerals are elaborate rituals that pray for safe travel and rebirth. Ceremonies take place on selected days and also on the day of death. Cremation, burial and, in some areas, sky bardials are mentioned of the deceased. Heaven burials are similar to traditional Parsi burials in India, where the body is left on mountains to feed vultures.

festival

Traditional music and dance are not only colorful and entertaining, but also religious rituals that protect people from evil forces. Monks in various monasteries donate masks and perform the spiritually important Tsechus, which teaches Buddhist teachings to the public. Dromchos are dances dedicated to regional protective deities. Different types of Zhai folk music / dances are organized in different monasteries on special occasions. The masked Cham dance is a visual delight with moral messages. Any traditional dance will likely go on for hours together and party all day.

Summer festivals of Bhutan

Architecture

Religion influences the architecture of traditional structures in Bhutan. Although the layout of each type of structure is essentially based on the same design, the design, materials and decorations vary, adding interesting visual variations to the space. Each valley of Bhutan has a dzong or fortified monastery with a central temple surrounded by other structures. The monasteries are opaque and therefore stupas and precious stones. The structures are equally striking and equally different.

Monks are not limited to monasteries. They perform rituals in local dormitories on special occasions such as births, deaths, marriages, etc. and, in addition to rich embroidery, they also take part in the dance. You also learn English!

Building mountains

Tourism in Bhutan has been active since the 1970s. Tourists from India and some other countries enjoy many travel privileges compared to western countries. However, it is important to partner with a reputable / trustworthy tour operator so that all of you can think about your trip to Bhutan and not everyone can see the place! Immerse yourself in the ancient surroundings, learning about local customs and traditions, paying attention to the architectural and cultural nuances of the place, and taking time to meditate and relax in the serene surroundings before venturing into the chaotic Cities return!