Buddha Dordenma

The Buddha Dordenma is the largest sitting statue of the Buddha measuring at 51.5 meters in height and made of solid bronze. Inside the Buddha are 125,000 smaller Buddha statues, 25,000 12-inch statues and 100,000 8-inch statues. Tourists often drive once to see it as its view is without a doubt outstanding as the giant Buddha although large is not opposing but rather has a calm and assuring look. The statue was made to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck while fulfilling two ancient prophecies from the 8th and 12th centuries which stated that a giant Buddha statue would be built in the region to bless the world with peace and happiness. This directly lines up with Bhutan’s model of growth focusing more on the Happiness index which measures the individual happiness of each citizen rather than the per capita income or any other monetary data.

Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten)

Another unique structure is the prominent National Memorial Chorten. This stupa, which is predominantly white with spires of gold, was erected in 1974 in honour of the father of modern Bhutan, the third king of the country, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The Memorial Stupa, Thimphu, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a stupa in Thimphu, Bhutan, located on Doeboom Lam in the southern-central part of the city near the main roundabout and Indian military hospital with its prominent landmark in the city of golden spires and bells. Owing to her rich history, the Chorten holds great religious fervour. Devotees circumambulated only in a clockwise direction (reciting prayers and whirling the large red prayer wheels), as is the rule for any religious structures in Bhutan. The Moenlam Prayer Festival is held here when the Je Khenpo (the religious head of Bhutan) addresses and blesses those who congregate for the occasion.