Here I remember noting the difference between Tibetan and Bhutanese monasteries.  The interiors are brighter and lighter, less oppressive and  without the overpowering smell of butter lamps.   

Because there is no photography allowed, there were no rapacious monks demanding payment.   It may be the difference between the two peoples or perhaps the Tibetan monks were fed up of boorish tourists trying to evade the fees.

To close my eyes and let the chanting wash over me was wonderful.  Who cared if it was still raining?

The khemar or red band around the top to the buildings indicates it is a monastic rather than secular building.  

The golden disc may be  painted as in the first image or brass.  It represents the sun.

With a group of visitors from Chennai.  

Being from a Himalayan country they had special privileges in Bhutan. They were free to travel without a guide and were not required to pay the draconian tourist tax we had to pay. Although I can certainly see the advantage of keeping the number of tourists low and the costs high.