Spring lodge

 Blessed Raining Day, known in Dzongkha as Thrue Bab, is one of the most cherished traditional holidays in Bhutan. It is celebrated annually according to the Bhutanese lunar calendar, usually falling in September. The day holds both spiritual and social significance, bringing together families, friends, and communities to honor Bhutanese culture, religion, and seasonal change. According to Bhutanese belief, Blessed Raining Day marks the time when all natural waters in the country are sanctified. On this day, rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and even rainfall itself are considered blessed with divine powers. It is said that bathing in these waters cleanses one’s body of impurities and washes away sins, misdeeds, and negativities accumulated over the past year. This spiritual purification is thought to prepare individuals for the new harvest season with renewed energy, positivity, and good fortune. The origins of this festival are rooted in Buddhist cosmology. Scriptures describe it as...

 In Bhutan, the worship and painting of phallus (lingam) has deep cultural and spiritual meaning. It is not about sexuality but about protection, fertility, and blessing. The tradition is closely linked to the 15th-century saint Drukpa Kunley, popularly called the “Divine Madman.” Here’s why Bhutanese worship or display the phallus: 1. Symbol of Fertility and Prosperity The phallus represents life, creation, and fertility. Many Bhutanese believe it helps ensure healthy children, good harvests, and abundance in life. 2. Protection from Evil Spirits Phallus symbols are painted on houses or carved as wooden figures to ward off evil spirits and the “evil eye.” People believe it keeps away gossip, jealousy, and negative energies. 3. Legacy of Drukpa Kunley Drukpa Kunley used humor, shocking behavior, and sexual symbolism to teach Buddhism in ways ordinary people could understand. He used the phallus as a symbol to break hypocrisy and ego. For example, he is believed to have subdued demo...

 Bhutan, a small Himalayan kingdom, has gained global recognition as one of the happiest countries in the world. Unlike many nations that measure progress purely in terms of economic growth, Bhutan values the well-being of its people and environment above material wealth. The country’s unique approach, centered on Gross National Happiness (GNH), makes it stand out as a model of sustainable development and human-centered progress. One of the main reasons Bhutan is regarded as a happy nation is its philosophy of GNH, introduced by the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. This philosophy rests on four pillars: sustainable socio-economic development, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and good governance. By prioritizing these pillars, Bhutan ensures that growth does not come at the cost of its people’s happiness, traditions, or natural environment. Another important factor is the nation’s deep spiritual and cultural values. Rooted in Buddhism, Bhutanese society emphasi...