Bhutan Portrait
- Adam Monk
- Aug 10, 2015
- 1 min read
There is a lovely small Monastery I always visit on my Bhutan Photographic tours each year, on the slopes of the Phobjikha Valley in Western Bhutan. Normally it’s very quiet and serene with just a few peaceful Monks and a stunning view down the valley. As I have been going there for quite a few years, we usually get invited in to photograph the morning prayers in the small temple, a special privilege not normally granted (see this post). Not this year.
64th Birthday Celebration
We arrived expecting small and sleeping and found bustling and busy. Around 2000 Monks from all over Bhutan has descended on the Monastery for a huge ceremony for the head Lamas 64th birthday year. It was foretold when he was born that year would be a difficult one for him so the ceremony was to help smooth the ride. In usual Bhutanese style we were warmly welcomed and invited in to participate, join in the blessing and take photos.
Most of the group went up to the dais for a blessing from the Lama, and after a while we started to feel comfortable enough to take the odd photo. I have to say this was a unique experience that simply couldn’t be planned for or timetabled. This and other experiences like it will remain with me forever and I feel immensely honoured to be able to visit such a place as Bhutan.
Bhutan Photo Tour 2016.
My next Photo tour to Bhutan later this year in November is already fully booked, but I am currently working on the itinerary for the next tour in 2016, the dates will be mid October to the end of October and the tour duration is looking like it will be 18 days, 2 days longer than my usual Bhutan Photography Tours. I have a couple of new locations that I scouted last trip and I want to ensure we have enough time to fully appreciate them. More on this very soon…