Taj Hotel in Thimphu

Nestled in the heart of Thimphu Valley, The Taj Tashi reflects Bhutan’s rich heritage and architecture. Inspired by the Bhutanese Dzong architecture, the hotel has been built on three themes – the “Dhungs”, the “Double Dorjes” and “Clouds”, brought subtly to life by delicate hand painted details.
The medley of gastronomical experiences include the specialty Bhutanese restaurant, ‘Chig-ja-gye(108)’ which represents a significant number in the Buddhism. The contemporary Bhutanese bar called Ara, which takes its name after the local rice wine, offers drinks from various parts of the world. If you fancy a hint of the outdoors you could walk into the Thongsel, the all day dining facility below the lobby level, which offers a spectacular view of the mountains.

From Here you will explore magnificent monasteries and the pristine wilderness, and thereafter soothe away the rigors of the day with one of our traditional treatments at the Taj Spa.

Come and experience a unique kingdom in the Himalayas.

Snow Leopard found in the mountains of Bhutan

A camera trap set by a BBC Natural history film crew captures the picture of a baby snow leopard.

The young snow leopard walks right up to the camera lens, sniffing it before off-screen walking into the bleak, rocky snow swept landscape.

Snow leopards are the highest living of all big cats, and are among the most rare and elusive of all animals.

"No wonder hardly anyone sees snow leopards, they are just so well camouflaged. You could literally walk four metres past one and not notice," says BBC wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan, who took the images.

He believes the cub's mother had left it near or in front of the camera trap while she went off hunting.

"It is one of the most exquisite looking animals I have ever seen."

Mr Buchanan, who on the same expedition also filmed tigers are living at a higher altitude than any others, has filmed wild cats worldwide for more than 10 years.

Footage of the young snow leopard will be broadcast this week as part of the BBC One programme Lost Land of the Tiger.

The programme's makers cannot be sure, but they suspect it may be the first footage of a snow leopard cub filmed in the wild.

Only last year, scientists uncovered evidence that suggests snow leopards and tigers evolved at a similar time, with the ancestor of both branching off from other big cats around 3.9 million years ago.

That makes the snow leopard and tiger "sister species", say experts.

Both snow leopards and tigers are among the world's most endangered big cats.

Snow leopards live between 3,000 and 5,500m above sea level in the mountain ranges of Central Asia, but due to their elusive nature their exact number is unknown.

Estimates vary, suggesting that between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards survive in the wild.

[Courtesy:BBC]

Ta Dzong, The National muesum of Bhutan

The newly created Ta-Dzong museum gives a glimpse of Bhutan in the last 100 years with two galleries showcasing the history of Monarchy of Bhutan with many Royal possessions. The first gallery on the ground showcases the guardians of the four directions, which protect the entrances to monasteries and temples and ward off evil influences from all direction.

The second gallery describes the foundation of Trongsa Dzong, its deities and holy men. It houses a statue of Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuck (1517-1554) who founded the Trongsa Dzong in 1543, his jacket and robe, diamond scepter, bell and statues of Zhabdrung's father.

A special feature of the this gallery is the Raven Crown, designed by Lam Jangchub Tshedrue and worn by the first King of Bhutan, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck. It also houses his ceremonial skill robe and four chest of the second King Jigme Wangchuck which were used in the Wangdue Choling palace in Bumthang to store personal belongings of the royal family and the King.

The fourth gallery has a silk kira and tego of the first Queen Ashi Choden, the oath of allegiance that was signed on a 3.5 meters scroll by the representatives of clergy during the Coronation of second King in 1926, his prayer book and silver box, the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck's amulet, ivory flask, container for betel, areka and lime, and a zenith radio. It also showcases a sword, gho, scarf and traditional boots belonging to His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan.

The fifth gallery showcases the message of the sacred dances including the wheel of life, masks and costumes while the sixth gallery is about Buddhism and rituals.

On the seventh gallery are Khesar Ling Lhakhang and the statues of Guru Rinpoche.
The ninth gallery houses Guru Rinpoche's eight manifestations and Maitreya Buddha Lhakhang.

The five Tathagata Buddhas (Gyalwa Rignga) sit in the tenth gallery. Each of theBudhas represents one of the five transcendental insights, which are antidotes to the five mental poisons- anger and hatred, pride, desire and greed, envy and jealously, delusion and ignorance.