Druk Wangyel

December 14, 2011Posted inMonarchy2 Comments
The heavens descended on Dochula yesterday. Boddhisattvas and gods, enchanting goddesses and spirits, guardian deities and demons, and Milarepa himself, meditating and levitating in the freezing cold, appeared before the thousands of pilgrims who had gathered to witness the inaugural Druk Wangyel Tsechu. The tsechu was inspired, guided and supported by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to honour the armed forces for their bravery and selfless services in protecting the peace, security and sovereignty of our nation. Photo credit: "Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival" by Dasho Karma Ura, the festival director who composed and choreographed the…

Summer residence

May 18, 2010Posted inReligion
His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the central monastic body took up their summer residence in Tashichhodzong last Saturday. This week's banner celebrates this centuries-old tradition. The gallery has a few more photos of the soelthap arriving at the Tashichhodzong.

Big butter lamp

August 27, 2009Posted inReligion
I enjoyed reading your answers to the last Big Picture. And knowing that we’d get a few more interesting answers, I was tempted to keep the question open. But I visited the National Memorial Chorten today, and decided to announce the answer. The big picture was, indeed, a big butter lamp in the National Memorial Chorten. Dinesh Pradhan answered first. He didn’t mention “butter lamp”, but it’s obvious he knew what the picture was and where it was taken. Dinesh, please contact me, by email, to claim your prize: lunch at the Musk. The gigantic butter lamp, a tshen…

Moenlam chenpo in Haa

June 16, 2009Posted inReligion
I've posted another set of photographs. They were taken earlier today while accompanying His Holiness the Je Khenpo's entourage to Haa. His Holiness is in Haa to lead the moenlam chenpo prayers for world peace and harmony. The moenlam choenpo was started in 2001 by three cousins - Dasho Nob Tshering (a civil servant), Desang Dorji (a businessman) and Nob Gyeltshen (a retired RBG officer). That year, the three of them sponsored the prayers and contributed Nu 100,000 each towards the moenlam chenpo fund. Other devotees quickly joined them and, before the end of the week-long prayers, the fund…