Bhutan: Druk Yul or The Land of The thunder Dragon.

The legacy of a Himalayan Kingdom well preserved for the generations to come 'Bhutan' or 'Druk Yul' or 'The Land of the Thunder Dragon' It has been indicated by the Archaeologists that Bhutan was inhabited dating back to 2000-1500 BC. The prehistoric era of Bhutan can be traced back to 500/600 AD. The early inhabitants of Bhutan practiced ‘Bon’, animistic tradition which was the main religion throughout the Himalayan region before the advent of Buddhism.

Mostly the ancient name attributed to Bhutan provides a glimpse how this particular nation was seen by the outside world. As the country is located towards the south of Tibet the term ‘South’was used literally to depict it. ‘Lho Mon’ (Southern Land of Darkness), ‘Lho Tsendenjong’ (Southern Land of the Cypresses), ‘Lhomon Khazi’ (Southern Land of Four approaches), and’Lhojong Menjong’ (Southern Land of Medicinal Herbs) were among the most popular names before the country was named Bhutan. It was only after the 17th century Bhutan actually came to be known as ‘Druk Yul’ or the ‘Land of The Thunder Dragon’. It is name which is derived from the ‘Drukpa Kagyul School’; a sub-school of ‘Kagyu’, Vajrayana Buddhism.

To the outside world ‘Druk Yul’ the country is known as ‘Bhutan’. Historians have laid down the fact that the word ‘Bhutan’ may have been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Bhu-Uttan’ meaning ‘High Land’ or ‘Head of India’. AnotherSanskrit derivation ascribes ‘Bhotsant’ meaning ‘End of Tibet’ or the ‘Appendage of Tibet’; when looked down from the Tibetan Plateau looked.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a Landlocked nation perched in the eastern Himalayas which borders China to the North and India to the South. It covers the total area of 30’364 Sq. Km. with an aerial distance of about 350 Km. from east to west and about 150 Km. from north to south. Geographically Bhutan lies between 88 45’ and 92 10’ longitude to the east and 26 42’ and 28 15’ latitude towards to the north. Bhutan is a mountainous country with a strip of plains towards the south. The Kingdom of Bhutan has three specific ecological zones, comprising of sub-tropical climate in the south, temperate in the middle and sub-alpine in the north. Therefore the variations in climate are equally extreme.

Southern Bhutan has hot and humid summer with cool winter. The land is covered with dense forests, alluvial lowland river valleys with mountains rising up to 1500 m.
The hills and the valleys of central and eastern Bhutan are temperate which remains dry than the west and generally has warm summers and cool winter. The inner Himalayas cuts off from the foothills with a sequence of valleys which ranges from 1500m. to 3500m. Blue Pines, Conifers, Oak, Magnolia, Maple, Birch, and Rhododendrons thickly forest the hill sides.
The northern part of Bhutan having an alpine climate is under snow perpetually. The highest point here is the ‘Gangkar Puensum’ at 7,564m. having the distinction in the world being the highest mountain which has not been scaled yet. Most of the peaks in the northern region are over 7,000 m. above sea level.

As Bhutan followed a policy of ‘Self Imposed Isolation’ therefore it was largely cut-off from the rest of the world until the 1950’s. Despite its ethnic and linguistic diversity, Bhutanese people have developed a strong degree of common identity. This is why Bhutan has still retained its integrity and distinctive way of life practically intact. The kingdom, despite its late start towards modernization, has recorded many remarkable achievements during the last four decades. The country today has connected itself with a wide network of roads, electricity and telecommunications linking the different parts of Bhutan and the outside world.
Bhutan has a unique development philosophy unlike the other countries, which is based on the principles of ‘Gross National Happiness’; it is becoming known to the world for its prophetic and vibrant leadership under the monarchs. Bhutan is known for the policy of ‘High Value Low Volume’ tourism, rich tradition and cultural heritage, immaculate ecology and abundant wild life and has the philosophy of uncompromising stance on environmental conservation.
Bhutan is a paradise in earth with panoramic scenic beauty with majestic virgin peaks, lush green valleys, unspoilt countryside and terraced rice fields, with a collection of marvelous architecture, monumental fortresses, fluttering prayer flags, very warm and hospitable people having a devout Buddhist culture which makes the Kingdom of Bhutan undeniably special to be explored once in a lifetime.