Epic Story

Like in other parts of the Himalayas, the epic of Gesar, the king of Ling, is narrated and read in Bhutan. Known as the longest epic in the world, the Gesar epic is one of the greatest Himalayan literary compositions. It is chanted by bards extemporaneously and also today written down in many volumes of books. Although only religious priestsand literate people in Bhutan have direct access to the literature, those who know the stories of Gesar tell them to other people thus creating a new oral transmission originating in the books. Gesar is also worshiped as a protector deity and perceived as a historical figure.