Festival Day in Punahka, Bhutan

We traveled to Bhutan in the Himalayas on a trip that was timed to coincide with the festival at Punahka, the first festival of the season.   People walked long distances to gather in the courtyard of the temple to watch the dances.

We encountered this charming girl along the road on the way to the festival.

A giant Thangka that covers a four-story wall inside the temple provides the backdrop for the dances in the courtyard.  They rolled up the Thangka after the ceremony.

This family paused for a photo while walking across the covered bridge over the river between the temple and the town.

This is a view of the temple from across the river bed.  Prayer flags are common throughout the landscape of Bhutan.