Bhutan summer festival at Haa

As the two-day summer festival came to an end yesterday, Haa residents said it was not as bright and sunny as last year’s if sales from the stalls are any thing to go by.

Nor the food stalls nor the handicraft stall saw good business during the festival and stall owners said the Kathri took their crowd. Tshering Dem, 53, from Katsho gewog said the sale of food items in her shop is about 60 percent less than last year’s.

“Last year we were very busy with too many people and this time we are waiting for people to visit our stalls,” she said. “It’s because everyone is attending the Kathri ceremony.” Tshering Dem’s stall had Hoentey, Tse Thup, Khuley, tea and doma on sale.

The Tarayana rural craft stall also saw a drop in sales by almost 80 percent, program officer Karma said. “Last year we sold products worth more than Nu 40,000 in the two days,” he said. “But this time we sold products only worth Nu 11, 000 in two days.”

Likewise, other stalls also saw a drop in their sales but said they would continue participating in the festivals. A total of 61 tourists attended the festival, 10 more than what the festival saw last year.

While a number of programs were planned until 8pm, the festival had to end by afternoon because local participants wanted to attend the blessings at the Kathri ceremony. The photography competition was also cancelled because the tourism council had not received enough entries.

Haa dzongdag Rigzin Dorji said they had started the festival well last year and thought they’ll do better this time. “But since lots of events have coincided, we could not pay much attention to the summer festival,” he said. “While we attach equal importance, but with limited manpower and the people pre-occupied in attending the Kathri ceremony, the festival did not do well like last year.”

Source: Kuenselonline

Her Royal Highness, Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck : Semso for those affected by the fire in Haa

On behalf of His Majesty the King, Her Royal Highness, Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck met with those affected by the fire in Haa, and granted them Semso.

Her Royal Highness expressed condolences and delivered His Majesty’s Semso and Soelra to the 25 families who lost their properties in the fire.

The fire on Monday burnt down a two- storied traditional house, and partially damaged another house near Ugyen Dorji Higher Secondary School.

Her Royal Highness granted Nu. 15,000 each to the owners of the houses. The tenants affected by the fire, also received Nu. 20,000 each as Semso.

Moreover, Her Royal Highness granted CGI sheets to those affected by the fire last November; these families had already been compensated earlier with His Majesty’s cash Soelra.

Her Royal Highness reassured the families that they would be given free timber to reconstruct their homes, as well.

Her Royal Highness then granted Tokha to the families.

13. Haa

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The high altitude Haa valley lies south of the Paro valley. The staple crops of this large, fertile valley are wheat, potatoes, barley and millet. Yaks are herded in the upper reaches of the valley, and yak meat from Haa is considered a great delicacy by the townspeople of Thimphu. A day trip to Haa with picnic lunch by the river near new Haa Dzong is very pleasant in the warmer months of the year, when one can drive from Paro to Haa over the Chele-la pass (3,810m/12,573ft). On a clear day there is a superb view of Mts. Jhomolhari & Jichu Drake from the pass.