Bhutan: Paro

7th to 9th April 2013

Previous posts:
Flying to Paro
Thimphu
Punakha
Punakha to Bumthang
Bumthang
Bumthang to Punakha

Paro was the town where we started our trip. And the trip was supposed to end at Paro.  We were staying for three nights in Paro as we planned to cover many places nearby. Olathang resort was the place we stayed in Paro; it is the established in 1974 to accommodate the guests invited for the coronation of the King.


Paro Dzong
Like in any town of Bhutan, Paro has a Dzong that dominates the town.


I was denied entry into the Dzong. I was wearing T shirt which was against the dress code of Dzongs. It was a hot day and I was bit casual with my dressing. I rushed back to car, wore my jacket and returned back to Dzong. The guard nodded his head affirmatively.


The view of Paro valley is spectacular from the Dzong.


The watch tower overlooks the Dzong and Paro valley. Now converted into museum, it houses several artefacts related to Buddhism and Bhutan culture. But the earthquake in 2011 (that hit Sikkim badly) had made the watch tower unstable thus forcing the authorities to close down. Some of the artefacts have moved to a building nearby.


The new museum itself was very interesting but our guide lamented that what we saw was just 5% of the old museum in watch tower.


Drukgyal Dzong
On one evening, we visited Drukgyal Dzong, a ruined monastery about 16 km from Paro. It was destroyed by fire in 1950s and is abandoned since then.


Nothing much is left in the Dzong. But somehow I like such places!! Even my daughter seemed to like this place.


This is the place where the famous “Snow man trek” starts. Known was the toughest trek; it lasts for 25 days covering 11 high altitude passes!! I hope one day I will make it.


Kyichu Lakhang
One of the oldest Temple in Bhutan.


Flowers in an apple tree at the Temple.


Farmhouse visit
We took some time out to visit a farmhouse near Paro. We happen to practically see the snow bath here. In simplistic terms, it is a procedure where stones are heated until they become glowing red and then placed in water. Few medicine plants are then added for bathing!!


Field to practice archery.



In Bhutan, cameras were not allowed inside the Temple. Here in farmhouse they had a huge prayer hall which resembled typical interiors of Temple in Bhutan.


But the visit to Paro is not yet over. Big ones are yet to come!!