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About
Phuntsholing |
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Phuentsholing is a border town in
southern Bhutan, and is the administrative seat (dzongkhag
thromde) of Chukha District. The town occupies parts of both
Phuentsholing Gewog and Sampheling Gewog. Phuentsholing lies
opposite the Indian town of Jaigaon, and cross-border trade
has resulted in a booming local economy. For example, the town
serves as headquarters for the Bank of Bhutan.In 2005,
Phuentsholing had a population of 20,537.
Phuntsholing is located at the
foothills of Himalayas, it serves as a convenient entry/exit
points and the main trading zone for Bhutanese with other
neighboring countries of South Asia. Visitors can reach
Phuntsholing by road from Sikkim, Darjeeling and Bagdora
airport in West Bengal. Phuntsholing is a boundary and
commercial centre on the northern edge of the Indian plains
and south of Thimphu. It takes about six hours by drive to
reach Phuntsholing from Paro and Thimphu. |
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History of
Phuentsholing |
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On April 5, 1964, reformist Prime
Minister Jigme Dorji was assassinated in Phuntsholing by
monarchist cadres as the king lay ill in Switzerland. The Dorji
family was subsequently put under close watch. |
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Tourist
Attractions in Phuntsholing |
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Zangdo Pelri - Zangdo Pelri is
situated in the centre of Phuntsholing town, it represents the
abode of Guru Rimpoche. On the ground level there are statues of
Guru and his eight manifestations and the wall is covered with
paintings of Buddha's life. On the second floor it contains
eight Bodhisattvas and statues of Avalokiteshwara and Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal while on the top floor the main statue is of
Buddha Amitabha.
Kharbandi Gompa - Kharbandi Gompa was
founded in 1967 by the Royal Grandmother. The monastery contains
paintings on the life of Buddha and statues of Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche. |
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Characteristics of Phuntsholing |
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Phuntsholing is uniquely more
urban than other Bhutanese towns, having absorbed the
neighboring culture, but distinctly far more quiet and
orderly than its neighbor. Simply looking at a satellite
photo, Jaigaon is packed with small buildings whereas
Phuntsholing is dominated by larger structures placed in
rows. Phuntsholing also hosts Bhutan's housing projects
for Bhutanese refugees.As the majority of goods traded go
into Bhutan, and as it hosts the most accessible Indian
marketplace to Bhutan, Jaigaon is much larger and receives
far more visitors.
There is a stark gap in the
culture across the border, which is separated by a long
wall with a single Bhutanese gate. Locals can sometimes
even cross without being asked for papers, but visitors
without an Indian passport will need a visa presented by a
hired registered tour guide; even one's Indian Voter ID
card will suffice within the town of Phuntsholing, but
beyond that one needs the above mentioned documents. The
gate is manned by Bhutanese Army guards. The terrain
inclines soon after the gate.
The border evidently separates
two very different peoples and cultures. Jaigaon is busy
and noisy, similar to many other West Bengal centers of
commerce, albeit with many conspicuous Bhutanese shoppers.
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How to Reach
Phuntsholing |
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Approachable only by road, the city is
linked to major Indian Railways node, NJP (New Jalpaiguri) being
the biggest and major junction. Apart from that, there are also
stations at HSA (Hasimara) and NOQ (New Alipurduar) Jn, the
former being the most nearest railway station (only 18 km from
Phuntsholing). From the northern towns of West Bengal, one has
to take a bus from any of the local bus terminals to
Phuentsholing. Buses are run both by travel Indian and Bhutanese
government operators. Once at Phuntsholing, the Lateral Road
gives travelers access to the rest of Bhutan.
Road to Thimphu
From almost anywhere in the
city, one can see the road to Thimphu snaking up the hillside,
and in the evening it is easy to see the headlights of distant
vehicles heading towards the capital. Opposite the big ground
PSA is the road that links rest of cities of Bhutan. The Lateral Road, Bhutan's main
highway, begins in Phuntsholing and winds some 557 kilometres
(346 mi) to Trashigang in the east.
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