The Yak Dance - An Unique Traditional Dance

Yak Dance is often considered as the native dance of the Merak and Sakteng communities. The dancers traveled all the way from Merak, located far east of Bhutan to perform at the International Ethnobiological Congress in Bumthang. Various participants from 57 countries participated at the Congress and obviously the ceremony. This dance was one of the most prominent features at the ceremony and well it was a life time experience for me to witness it. 

Yak's expression seems to be excited  and yeah also it was worth watching. Culture is the one that has identified the unique identity of the people of Merak and Sakteng and Bhutan at large. For most of the communities in Merak and Sakteng, Yak farming is the main source of income besides agricultural trade and tourism.

How Bhutan look at Merak - Sakteng is how the world look at Bhutan!

Moment of Happiness

 

Happiness is all that every living being desires and I always wanted it. Happiness has sources and various techniques. Dalai Lama seems to be smile every time; he knows exactly knows how happiness is derived. I got very less knowledge on how it is derived.

The moment I set my eyes on my loved ones and things I tend to be filled with love and peace. I suppose love give arise to the happiness, that moment when you feel loved and when you love, happiness is in the air. Laughing even when we are sad scientifically diminishes the sorrows we have. The moment I sit and think of loved ones, I am filled with joys. But the moment of happiness seem to be ephemeral. Wish eternal happiness prevail on earth! 

MACACA

Pictorial Tour to Merak (Bhutan)

Yaks (perhaps some kind of Yak breeds) on the way to Merak. May - June 2013.

Buddha sculptured on the cliff

Guru Rinpochhe (Mahaguru Mei Ling)

Entrance into the wild Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

A nomad woman weaving. Love their culture.

Pasture land for the Yaks and cattle, also for the goats and sheep :) Surrounding bushes comprises of Junipers, Rhododendrons and Abies species.

Merak clustered village

Merak in the dawn right after the rainfall

A view from Merak's highest peak Nakchungla. 3850 masl. A panoramic view.

Rhododendron scrub after crossing the tree line c. 3000m. Liked the background view.

Some unique flowers from Merak, Bhutan

Pleione praecox June 2013 Merak, Bhutan

Rhododendron keysii June 2013 Merak, Bhutan

Meconopsis sp. June 2013

Meconopsis sp.

It's All About the Plants

Cotoneaster sp. Location: Toorsa Strict Nature Reserve. Sep. 2011

Cotoneaster sherriffii. Location: Merak & Sakteng. May, 2011

Corydalis leptocarpa. Location: Merak & Sakteng. May, 2011

Didymocarpus albicalyx. Location: Merak & Sakteng. May, 2011

Impatience sp. Location: Merak & Sakteng. May, 2011

Osbeckia nepalensis. Location: Zhemgang. September, 2012

Rhododendron succothii. Location: Merak & Sakteng. May, 2011

Rhododendron keysii. Location: Merak & Sakteng. May, 2011

Selinum sp. Locaton: Toorsa Nature Strict Reserve. September, 2011

Vanda cristata - An Orchid

5/12 Sakteng

A beautiful and unique flower of Orchid. It blooms usually in the month of May.

This flower was spotted on the way to Sakteng from Mearak, Tashigang in the month of May, 2012 when a team of orchid enthusiasts were on orchid diversity expedition.
Vanda cristata
Orchidaceae

Rhodo in Merak, 05/12

R. campanulatum

R. ciliatum

R. hogsonii

Hope you see what I can see!!! (Hope you see what I don't see!!!)

Brokpa Ama. Met her on the way to Sakteng from Merak, it was an exhausting 10 hours journey for me. (05/12)

Brokpa Apa weaving yak hair

Buddha, found this craving at Merak

Time waits for none

Brokpa school childrens

Highway to Sakteng!