Held in the hand and fondled with love and devotion by monks and all devotees alike, Buddhist prayer beads are highly revered as the “strings of enlightenment”. The prayer beads assist in one of the most spiritual aspects of Buddhist practice, aiding in focusing the mind and letting go of all earthly desires. Prayer beads are …
Lemongrass essential oil is one of our best sellers. There are people ordering it from all over the world, and they often become regular customers. As regular lemongrass essential oil is a fairly easy product to source, we had a look at why Bhutan’s lemongrass essential oil is so popular abroad. Why are essential oils …
Why is Bhutan’s lemongrass essential oil so popular? Read More »
When you’re on the hunt for Cordyceps Sinensis, you’re looking for a mushroom that grows out of a caterpillar’s head. It’s said to take the form of a “plant” in the summer and an “animal” in the winter. The Bhutanese and Tibetans call it Yartsa Guen Bub, which means “summer grass winter worm.” Cordyceps has …
Hot stone baths are imbued in Bhutanese culture and are recommended for a wide range of ailments. Bhutan, the “Land of Medicinal Herbs” (Menjong), derives its name from the country’s abundance of medicinal herbs. The traditional healing culture of hot stone bath in Bhutan, dates back centuries. It is a medicinal method that involves soaking …
The Traditional Healing Culture of Hot Stone Baths in Bhutan Read More »
Bhutan’s unusual architecture is one of the most charming and omnipresent elements that the visitor observes across the kingdom, whether in the more crowded towns and metropolitan centres or in the rural valleys and settlements where the human population is minimal. Shingzo, or woodwork, has been used in the construction of beautiful dzongs and palaces, …
Colourful prayer flags (dhar) are one of the most prominent features of Bhutan. The Buddhist prayer flags can be seen fluttering across the Kingdom. They are considered sacred and holy and should be treated with the utmost respect. On a trip to Bhutan, one is likely to notice colourful prayer flags fluttering throughout the countryside. …
Every year, Bhutanese climb more than 17,000 feet to get a bag of cordyceps referred to locally as “Yartsa Goenbub”. Cordyceps Sinensis is a rare and powerful fungus found high in the mountains of Bhutan. Before the rainy season begins, spores of the Cordyceps land on the heads of caterpillars living underground, the fungus invades …
Bhutanese have always lived in complete harmony with the natural environment, as have people from anywhere in the world before industrialization. People learned to obtain all of their basic needs, such as food and water, medicines, housing, clothing, and other key necessities, from their immediate surroundings in a sustainable way. Taking advantage of these abundant …
This week, we interviewed the very passionate Sonam Yangchen. An artist who paints and handcrafts statement wooden earrings that intricately incorporate Bhutanese textile patterns and designs, under the Rinyang Artisan. Having loved painting since childhood, she is now sharing that love with others through her art. The first painting she ever sold at VAST was …
An interview with Sonam Yangchen, the artist behind Rinyang Artisan Read More »
There was a time when you could often tell where a person was from by looking at their outfits, but with modernisation, traditional attires are slowly becoming something of the past and people are wearing easier outfits often inspired by trends. In Bhutan however, the traditional dress of Gho for the men and Kira for …
The word mandala in Sanskrit refers to a circle believed to represent the universe, its wholeness and the cycle of life. The intricate work of art incorporates geometric patterns, religious symbolism, and layers of meaning that can serve as a prayer, meditation practice, and holy blessing all in one.In Buddhism, mandalas are the ideal form …
All you ever wanted to need to know about Mandalas: origin, significance and purposes Read More »
A Tibetan singing bowl is a kind of bell that vibrates and produces a rich, deep tone when struck. Also known as singing bowls or Himalayan bowls, Tibetan singing bowls are known to induce relaxation and offer powerful healing properties. They are thought to have originated 2500 years ago in the Himalayas (including Bhutan, Tibet, …
Blessed with an untouched and pristine natural environment, nowhere in the Himalayas is the natural environment as rich and diversified as it is in Bhutan. Bhutan’s high, rugged mountains and deep valleys are home to spectacular natural biodiversity. An essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage, the thirteen traditional arts and crafts are closely associated with …
This week, we met with Chandrika Pakhrin, the former banker turned fashion designer who is behind the CDK brand. CDK is a Bhutanese apparel brand that creates contemporary and modern designs using traditional and sustainable Bhutanese textiles. The result is quite unexpected in the most exquisite way and we could not be prouder to have …
Losar is one of the most celebrated festivals in Bhutan. Losar literally means New Year, where “lo” means “year” and “sar” means “new”. It is a time for family reunions, strengthening communal ties, and celebrating cultural traditions with rites and bonds. Losar is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the lunar …
Bhutanese textiles represent a rich and complex form of art. The art of weaving, called “Thagzo” is an essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. It is one of the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. The textiles show vibrant colours and sophisticated patterns inspired by daily scenes or objects of life. The intricate …
A rare elixir made from the stingless bees in the Land of Happiness. The Stingless Bees swarm around the thick and green vegetation, buzzing in rhythm while they store honey in sack-like wax structures. Their particular honey called Puthka honey in Bhutan is more commonly known as Melipona honey (scientific name: Meliponi) or stingless-bee honey …
What is Puthka Honey and why is it good for health? Read More »
The Oldest Incense Sticks Company in Bhutan As the match lights the incense stick, the perfumed and holy smoke spreads, exhaling an enchanting aroma in the atmosphere. Filled with uniqueness, the brand of Nado Poizokhang incense sticks has been creating waves since its establishment; predominantly due to the carefully crafted formula believed to promote harmony …
The captivating essence of Nado Poizokhang Incense Read More »
How do you like your cup of tea? Do you prefer it served with a side of milk or a slice of lemon? In Bhutan, we like our tea infused with yak butter and salt. And if the idea of a savoury tea isn’t that appealing to you, wait until you try it on a …
The traditional Bhutanese tea, the yak butter tea Read More »
Bhutanese arts and crafts are known for their bold use of colours, exquisite attention to detail and symmetry. Portraying deities, plants and animals and more, art is used to decorate the homes, temples and everyday objects of the Bhutanese people. From the Buddhists monks making intricate sand mandalas to the woodworker carving a garish mask, …
Wild Cordyceps sinensis is a powerful medicinal fungus that grows off the ghost moth caterpillar in rich Himalayan soil at altitudes above 3,800 meters. It is the world’s most expensive biological resource and can be sold as high as US$ 27,000 per kilo.