Photography in Bhutan; photos of Bhutan

A visit to Bhutan offers to the photographer an abundance of exotic motives: the Himalayan ice peaks, the forest giants, the small plants and flowers, the Dzongs or monastery-castles, the temples, the chorten or stupas, the prayer wheels and prayer flags, the farm houses, the yak or horse caravans, and of course and before all, the Bhutanese people in their traditional clothes, and many more photographic seductions. There are, in principle, no or very little restrictions to photography in Bhutan. In general, the Bhutanese people have no objection to be photographed. But if a Bhutanese shows his or her objection to being photographed it should be natural for any educated foreigner to immediately abstain from making any kind of picture or recording.

As a general rule, it is strictly forbidden to photograph in the interior of temples and rooms within the monasteries while it is, in many monasteries, allowed to photograph in the inner court yards. Nevertheless, in the court yards within the Thimphu Dzong, where the offices of H.M. the King and of His Holiness the Je Kempo are located, it is, understandably, prohibited to take pictures. The visitor is advised to inquire before photographing in such places.

During the important public religious festivals, tourists are allowed to take pictures of the fascinating temple dances performed in the court yards, even in the Thimphu Dzong.

It is utmost regrettable that at these occasions, again and again some tourists show utterly rude, uneducated and repulsive behaviour by, without any respect and for the sake of a picture or video, disturbing the Bhutanese attending the festival: for them the festivals and temple dances are of deep religious meaning.

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