Calendar

A takin- the national animal of Bhutan, at the Motithang Takin Preserve, Thimphu.

Previously thought to belong to the same family as musk ox, the takin has been found to be closer to goat and sheep. This fits in well with the Takin origin story popularly told in Bhutan: The famous Lama Drukpa Kinley, having consumed a whole ox and a whole goat, fixed the skull of the goat on the skeleton of the ox, and snapped his fingers, at which the new animal came alive and ran down the hills to graze.

Our August calendar features the Thimphu Memorial Chorten, silhouetted against an evening sky. The Memorial Chorten, built in memory of His late Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, is an iconic monument of Thimphu. The beautiful grounds were developed during the 2017 Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition held here. Located in the centre of the Thimphu Valley, the Memorial Chorten is a place for the young and old alike to enjoy moments of peace, and to offer prayers, prostrations, and circumambulations.

The time for Changla – paddy transplantation, is an important one in the agricultural calendar. Traditionally, households help each other to complete the backbreaking work sooner, and the traditions surrounding the activity, including the songs sung, the manner of work, and the coming together of communities, represent the rich intangible cultural heritage of Bhutan.

We are delighted to share our June Calendar, which features a photograph of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey in Punakha. The enthusiasm with which our monthly calendars are received is always heartening. We know that seeing His Royal Highness grow up so quickly brings you special happiness, so we hope our June calendar brightens up your month.

This month’s calendar is a tribute to His Majesty the Third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who was born on May 2nd, 1928.

His Majesty is known as the Architect of Modern Bhutan- after years of isolation while the world went through wars and conflict, Bhutan finally began to open its doors to the outside world, and the foundations for modern Bhutan were laid down.