November 11, 2025
Day 10 in Bhutan

November 11 ｜Pilgrimage to Taktsang Monastery

[Paro, Bhutan] November 11 marked a day of free activity during the Bhutan journey. Despite returning from a long drive to Gelephu the previous day, the team remained full of energy and determination. Most participants chose to visit Bhutan’s most iconic spiritual site, Taktsang Monastery also known as Tiger’s Nest, to connect with the sacred place where Guru Rinpoche and the Dakini once meditated, experiencing the enduring purity and blessings of this revered site.

On that day, Indian Prime Minister Modi was also visiting Bhutan resulted in traffic restrictions in places To ensure a smooth journey, the team set off early, before the road closures, and drove for about two hours to the base of Taktsang in the Paro Valley. The morning mist and serene mountains added to the tranquility of the place, with few tourists at that early hour, heightening the sense of sacredness.

The usual pilgrimage route to Taktsang takes about six hours (i.e, three hours up and three hours down). However, the team realized that this journey was not just a physical challenge but a profound spiritual practice. The steep, uphill path and continuous stone steps, along with the increasing altitude, tested both endurance and breath. Along the way, pilgrims from all over the world were seen chanting mantras or walking in silent meditation, creating a naturally spiritual atmosphere.

As the team ascended, Taktsang gradually emerged from the steep cliffside, its red-and-white structure hang above a vast abyss, inspiring awe and reverence. Inside the monastery, the caves and prayer halls seamlessly blended, with incense filling the air. This was the very place where Guru Rinpoche once meditated. The group sat in meditation and recited the Guru’s mantra, absorbing the unique blessings of the site. Many members felt an overwhelming sense of peace upon entering the temple, as if embraced by a pure, steadfast energy.

The pilgrimage to Taktsang was not just a deep immersion into Bhutanese culture and spirituality but a precious experience that integrated physical exertion, willpower, and inner cultivation, making it one of the most profound and unforgettable moments of this Bhutan expedition.