The great Aristotle said, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence”
If you are travelling to the country of happiness, of course you are there in search of happiness; to experience it, to feel it, and to conquer it. People takes back home ample of memories but more than anything, one must take the gem of the land with you, the happiness itself. Your voyage to Bhutan must be more than a pleasures and memories once in a life!
Bhutan is a tiny landlocked Himalayan kingdom, sandwiched between two giant countries, India and China. The country is famously and fervently recognized by her signature “The Gross National happiness”. GNH is nothing but the wholesomeness of happiness and the very extraordinary term coined by the great Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck in late 1970’s.
A country with merely eight hundred thousand populations is also known as the “Land of Thunder Dragon” (Druk) and we proudly call ourselves (Drukpa)! Bhutanese! It is also a country of constitutional Monarchy; people enjoy democracy as a gift from the golden throne. It came to execution when the country still enjoyed peace, harmony and when the people didn’t demand it or wanted it, unbelievingly!
If you must visit Bhutan, visit for the core reason of experiencing happiness. It’s a country that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of the people over its economic pursuits in accordance with GNH values, religiously! It is the very first country of such in the world and perhaps the last. In the time where economic pursuit defies very purpose of happiness, Bhutan rides on her GNH values like that of “A knight in his shining armor”, yet holistically!
To add to the wonders of Bhutan, the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is in pipeline, it is an extraordinary initiative envisioned by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, blending innovation, sustainability, and mindfulness into urban development. Designed as a Special Administrative Region in Bhutan, GMC aspires to balance economic growth with holistic living and spiritual well-being. It serves as a model city where sustainable practices coexist with a focus on mental and emotional health. With mindfulness at its core, GMC aims to foster harmonious living, environmental stewardship, and inclusive development. This visionary project reflects Bhutan’s commitment to Gross National Happiness, creating a thriving urban community rooted in balance, purpose, and peace.
Bhutan is a very much a developing country with more than half virgin of its origin. The mountains are full of snows and lushes greens yet soulful. The forests are thick and dark yet colorful. The air is clean, pure and water is crystal clear. Bhutan is the world’s first carbon negative country and also a first country to have constitutional obligations on its people to protect the environment. The war and poverty is alien to the land. Health and education are free. The people are naïve and happy. Truly a country of happiness indeed!
Nevertheless, the indigenous culture, ancient traditions, colorful festivals, and pristine environment will be your larger-than-life experience and memories to cherish yet the happiness you will experience and embrace from within shall liberate you for rest of your life.
If at all anything should look like the fairy tale in this century, it would look like Bhutan. Everything is so surreal yet real here. Bhutan is something beyond this world, it is next level.
