Taming the Tiger

The Paro Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest is a monastery built in 1692 high on an inaccessible cliff in Bhutan. Almost every image of Bhutan includes this famous structure. It is actually a series of temples and is very holy to the people of Bhutan but it also attracts pilgrims from other places and is on the playlist of every tourist here. And for very good reason. It is extraordinary.

But the thing that no one seems to mention and I failed to factor in, is the extraordinary climb, up and up and up. To be fair, although worn smooth by hundreds of years of foot traffic, the path has steps and trees and the unfit or unable can get a horse half way.

But all the same it was a major hike - 900 meters up in the hot sun - takes a few hours. And about 1400 steps! About time I started acting my age I think! But the effort was worth it.

There is a long complicated (to me) Buddhist story about Guru Padma Sambhava who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the eighth century, flying to this location from Singye Dzong on the back of a tigress and that the spot was consecrated to tame the Tiger demon. There are a few other religious stories as well and Hindu versions too - all got a bit complex and confusing! I did peer nervously down to the underground cave where the tiger was meant to be vanquished but I was too chicken to climb down the rickety ladder into the dark hole to investigate further.

We leave beautiful Bhutan now - I have loved this place - beautiful vistas everywhere, beautiful people, a peaceful and hopeful philosophy that is unrivalled anywhere and great food!

L🌺🌺