TIE the KNOT in BHUTAN
Kuzuzangpola! Warm Greetings from the Kingdom of Bhutan!
The western phrase ‘tie the knot’ is synonymous with Bhutanese phrase ‘damtsi dhargi duphue’, which literally means ‘the silken knot of integrity’. Bhutanese parents give words of wisdom as parting gift to their newly-wed sons and daughters: “As a man commits to his word. So does his lady reciprocate with integrity.”
Tie the Knot in Bhutan is a bespoke wedding itinerary based on the Bhutanese wedding custom, which is deeply informed by ancestral wisdom, Buddhist astrological matchmaking, social etiquettes, religious observations and social fanfare.
Holidays Bhutan is privileged to be your wedding planner of your Special Day in Bhutan. To fulfill private requests from our wedding guests, our premium package service includes flight and ground arrangements, professional make-up artist (MUA), gala performing artists, media team (photography & filming) to cover the event, chartered chopper excursions, ultra-luxury accommodation and wedding gourmet feast.
As a goodwill gesture, we provide free service of fixing your suitable wedding day in consultation with our official College of Bhutanese Astrology in Thimphu.
Holidays Bhutan wedding team look forward to hosting your private/family weddings in Bhutan.
ITINERARY
Holidays Bhutan reception team, led by the host, will receive our Bride & Groom and their entourage at the Paro international Airport for swift 15- minute transfer to the hotel.
Paro Valley (2,200 masl) is one of the most scenic valleys in western Bhutan. In spring (March – May), the blossoms paint the landscape. In autumn (Sept- November), the valley’s golden rice fields and clear blue sky is picture- perfect. Please feel free to inquire/consult Holidays Bhutan to plan your special wedding day in Bhutan.
The hotel’s reception team will join Holidays Bhutan in welcoming our Bride & Groom. Check into the room, refresh and join the welcome tea and formal introduction.
Visit the 7 th -century Kyichu Temple, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Locals believe that the life-like statue of Future Buddha Mitreya inside the inner sanctum of the temple is believed to fulfill aspirations.
Visit the historic Rinchen Pung Dzong (built in 1645), literally translating into the Fortress on a Heap of Jewels.
Walk down and cross over the traditional cantilever bridge. Drive back for herbal body massage and traditional hot-stone bath.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Paro
To start the day, Our Bride & Groom will attend a rejuvenating guided meditation session/morning yoga or nature walk.
Scenic drive from temperate Paro to warm tropical Punakha (115 km/ 3 hrs travel time), Holidays Bhutan’s handpicked wedding location.
Stop-over at the Dochula Pass for tea/coffee. Enjoy the spectacular view of the pan-Himalayas on the horizon from the 3,100-mt mountain pass.
Check into the hotel and refresh.
Bride & Groom will have the whole evening to themselves in the Spa / Herbal body massage / traditional hot-stone bath.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Punakha
Holidays Bhutan wedding team will be up early morning for Lhabsang ritual in the hotel’s shrine room. Lhabsang is a purification and appeasement rite to the Buddhas and local guardian deities asking for their blessings and protection to see through their weeding day.
Background of the ceremony:
During the consecration of Punakha Dzong in 1640, representatives of different regions and neighbouring kingdoms pledged their loyalty and made a heap of offerings to Zhabdrung. Zhabdrung named the place Pungthangka or the ‘Plain of Heap’. The well-wishers were seated in rows according to their social hierarchy, distributed the offerings, and recited auspicious verses and dedicatory prayers to the forefathers, lineage holders and guardian deities of the Drukpa Kagyu tradition.
This auspicious ceremony was called Zhudral Phunsum Tshogpa, which literally means ‘an auspicious row of seated people’. Today Zhugdral is an auspicious ceremony performed at public/private functions such as marriages, promotions, foundation laying, consecration and enthronement of lamas.
(Detailed program will be shared in email)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Punakha
Enjoy a short walk to the popular Temple of Fertility in Punakha. The temple is a popular haunt/attraction for couples around the world. Locals frequent the temple to receive names for their new-borns.
The temple custodian/ monk will offer blessed scarves received from the altar.
Stopover at Dochula Pass for tea-coffee and enjoy the spectacular view of the Himalayas.
Short respite in the capital city: Drive up to the Buddha Dordhen Statue (169 ft. one of the largest Buddha statues in the world) at Kuensel Phodrang, Thimphu. Enjoy the bird-eye view of the Thimphu city.
Join the locals in their daily circumambulation / Kora of the city’s landmark Memorial Stupa, which was built in 1974 in memory of the late third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Drive back to Paro town for Leisure Stroll and last-day shopping for your loved ones back home.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Paro
Honeymoon hike to the spectacular Taktsang, literally called the Tiger’s Nest. The first temple complex was built in 1692, which was blessed by Padmasambhava as a power-place and treasure trove in the 8th century. The magical site has attracted some of the legendary Buddhist saints and treasure discoverers who attained spiritual realizations and revealed treasure teachings from the site.
Guests have options between foot-hike and pony ride up to the Tiger’s Nest.
The 2-3-hour moderate climb traverses mixed forests of oak, pine and rhododendron and finally descending to a waterfall cascading down a 2000- ft vertical cliff.
Hike down and drive back for herbal body massage and traditional hot- stone bath.
Later in the evening, attend cultural show and farewell dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Paro
This morning/afternoon we see you off at the airport to catch your flight to Bangkok or other gateway cities to connect with your international flight to next destination.
