Memorial Chorten in Thimphu, Bhutan

The chorten lies right in the heart of the city of Thimphu, with glimpses of the entire city down the slope and the high eastern Himalayas beyond them. The place is quite crowded in the early mornings as many elderly people come to visit the chorten for a round of morning walk before paying homage to the memorial. Many young people come too, before leaving for school, college or office. However, unlike usual chortens, this does not house Jigme Dorji Wangchuck’s last human remains, but just a photo of him in a ceremonial dress. This is more of a fulfillment of his last wish, which was to build a chorten representing the mind, philosophy, and teaching of Buddha.

Thus, inside the Memorial Chorten of Bhutan, there are ornate mandalas, statues and paintings in reference to Buddhism and Guru Padmasambhava. Each of the chorten’s annexes faces the four cardinal directions. A central wooden column goes right up to the spire, covering all three floors of the chorten. This chorten is of great historical, and spiritual importance to the people of Bhutan and a visit to this place is must, both to see the legendary structure as well as to take in the ambience of the place.