culture · Chele La, Bhutan
Raise prayer flags at the pass
Bhutanese families often drive up to high passes to raise prayer flags, especially on auspicious days or to mark a birth, a new venture or the memory of someone who has died. The coloured lungta strings carry printed prayers that, in Buddhist belief, the wind spreads over the land. The tall white darchor on poles are often put up in sets of 108 for the dead. Visitors are welcome to raise flags too, if they do it with care.
The day before, ask your guide to take you to a shop in Paro that sells flags. A string of lungta costs from a few hundred rupees; a full set can cost more. Some families ask a monk to bless the flags before raising them, and your guide can tell you whether that is practical. At the pass, your guide helps you choose a spot where your string can be tied safely between poles or trees without covering others.
Tie the flags so that they hang free in the wind. Do not cut down or move other people's flags, do not step on fallen flags, and never burn them in the open. Once up, they are left to fade and tear over time, which is part of the meaning. Families often take a short moment of quiet or a prayer after raising them.
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Can tourists put up prayer flags in Bhutan
Yes, with your guide's help. Buy a set in Paro or Thimphu, choose a high, windy spot such as Chele La, and tie them where they do not cover other people's flags. Your guide can explain the meaning of the colours and whether to have them blessed first. Do it with respect, as a prayer rather than a photo prop.
What do the colours of prayer flags mean
The five colours, usually blue, white, red, green and yellow, stand for the elements: sky or space, air or water, fire, water or wind, and earth, depending on the tradition followed. Each flag carries printed prayers and mantras, and the belief is that the wind carries their blessings. Your guide can explain the local Bhutanese understanding.
How much do prayer flags cost in Bhutan
A string of lungta prayer flags costs from a few hundred rupees in Paro and Thimphu shops, and a larger set about ₹300–1,500, indicative 2026. Tall white darchor on poles cost more and are usually put up by families for special occasions. Buy from a shop your guide trusts, and ask about having them blessed.
