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Khuruthang Gompa – the building looks like a woman’s face.
A Gompa (गोम्पा) is a Buddhist place of learning, lineage and meditation. The pictures in the post here belong to the Khuruthang Goempa. It’s design is similar to some other Gompa’s I saw in Bhutan – a geometrical mandala, a large statue of Buddha and surrounded by a number of stupas. This Gompa is located at the center of this new planned city.
Khuruthang Gompa – A monk unwinding the water pipe.
As described in previous post, I woke up early in the morning and went out to explore the city. The sky was cloudy and the place was covered in a thick fog. An occasional a ray of sun pierced through the clouds, suddenly lighting up a small area on the street. The town wasn’t big – you could walk its perimeter in about an hour – and that’s what I was upto while my buddy snored peacefully.
The large prayer wheel
I watching men unload groceries and produce from large trucks and women sweeping the areas outside their door while birds flew around making incomprehensible calls. Khuruthang Goempa looked nice from a distance – especially in the picture above where it looks like the face of a woman. Very nicely decorated – with an eyeliner, necklace and even a crown.
Prayer Wheels
Apart from the young monks cleaning the premises and running around with their long robes that kept slipping off, there were a couple of old people who were spinning some prayer wheels. There was a nice smell of fresh incense and an occasional chime of the bell.
Khuruthang Goempa, monks cleaning up the monastery grounds
I came back from my walk, woke up my friend and prepared to leave. We wanted to go to Wangdue, but since there was no direct transport that morning (except taxi), we boarded a bus at 8 am that would take us to a village called Metshina. We’d figure out what to do next from there. What we didn’t know was the surprise that awaited us on the way. 
(oh I love suspenseful endings.)
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Your photos remind me of Dharamsala. Wish I had a camera at that time with me.
I loved Dharamshala too, I had been there for 3 days only and it was beautiful!
That’s so beautiful. Even from the pictures there is so much peace and serenity is visible. I wish to go to Bhutan some day.
Solilo, if you ever go, let me know of any questions. It is definitely a recommended place!
Beautiful photos of Bhutan… I have never been but would love to go..
Catherine, Bhutan is very beautiful and there are so many things to do there – religious, spiritual, mountaineering, archery, arts, etc..
The first signs of commercialization of Priyank.com …
After being Sleepless in Seattle..err..Khuruthang, you get to see this beautiful Gompa. The samaneras in the last picture look busy, and cute in their robes.
Ah indeed, the Samaneras were busy cleaning and decorating the place in anticipation of the arrival of Je Khenpo, the religious head of Bhutan. I blogged about it in the recent post. Thanks Celine!
Very beautiful architecture. I had been to similar temple in Singapore in the middle of city.
Hi Rajesh, Welcome to my blog! Glad you liked the pictures!
Cool pics..presently reading abt Bhutan from Michael Palin’s book – Himalaya
Ajeya, I loved the book. I read it few days after my trip to Bhutan and it was very nice to read about his narration. Some day I dream to travel the Himalayas like that too…
Arrgghh! I hate suspenseful endings! Now you’ll see visits from Buffalo, NY rise dramatically in your tracker. Anyway, your pictures are dramatic as usual. Shangri-La indeed exists.
LIW, that was an encouraging reaction to my suspenseful experiment, now I’m tempted to try more.. lol. Bhutan is very beautiful indeed.
Nice pics! Keep up the good work!
Thanks Gopinath!
Very cool, I am getting very excited about China and the history and structures they have there, much like Bhutan.
Good to hear that Bob, you’ll have a fun trip!
[...] All Bhutanese people carry a National Identity card with them. Our travel permits were checked again and the bus was let to pass on its way to Thimphu. This was the end of our little but fun filled 2-day excursion: Thimpu – Punakha – Wangdue – Thimphu. We visited the temple of Divine Madman, the grand Punakha monastery, got blessings from Bhutan’s highest Buddhist monk and saw the scenic Wangdue monastery among many other things. [...]
what a wonderful time to be at a gompa..must have been wonderful just to stand and watch life go past you ..
Definitely! I like the pace of small villages!
[...] my trip to Bhutan. Here are the other posts! « Previous post: Dzong Artwork | Next post: Early morning at a Gompa [...]
I just can’t get over these images from Bhutan. It is so colorful and scenic! The monks in their red robes make for a fantastic photo.
Its nice to see the monks, they are common people like you and me, and they eat at restaurants and travel in buses. I thought that was cool!