The National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu City: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips

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The National Memorial Chorten Overview

Built in the memory of the third Druk Gyalpo (Head of Kingdom) of Bhutan, the National Memorial Chorten is devoted to World Peace and of the best places and it be part of your Bhutan tours. The Chorten started gaining popularity amongst the localities when various major Buddhist religious festivals started taking place at the Chorten and it is one of the best places to see in Thimphu Bhutan. The word “Chorten” literally translates to “Seat of Faith”, and the structure itself has become an important part of the Bhutanese culture. You can spot various Buddhists circumambulating around the Chorten all throughout the day. The Memorial also attracts a lot of tourists from around the world due to its architectural and deep connection with Bhutan’s rich culture.

Built in the memory of the third Druk Gyalpo (Head of Kingdom) of Bhutan, the National Memorial Chorten is devoted to World Peace. The Chorten started gaining popularity amongst the localities when various major Buddhist religious festivals started taking place at the Chorten and it is one of the best places to see in Thimphu Bhutan. The word “Chorten” literally translates to “Seat of Faith”, and the structure itself has become an important part of the Bhutanese culture. You can spot various Buddhists circumambulating around the Chorten all throughout the day. The Memorial also attracts a lot of tourists from around the world due to its architectural and deep connection with Bhutan’s rich culture.

Situated well within the capital city Thimphu. the Stupa was initially built in the year 1974 and thereafter, witnessed a massive renovation in the year 2008. The Chorten is also famous as the “most visible religious structure of Bhutan.”

Unlike other traditional Stupas, this monument does not enshrine any of the human remains. It holds only one photo of Druk Gyalpo in traditional Bhutanese dress in the massive hall on the ground floor.

How To Reach

-By Bus: There are some bus services that connect Paro and Thimphu however, there are no regular bus services, therefore, it must be pre-planned.

-By Rail: There is no rail service available anywhere in Bhutan as of now.

-By Road: You can direct taxi from Paro International Airport to National Memorial Chorten Thimphu which should take 1.5 hours max. to reach.

The best way to travel from Paro International Airport to Thimphu is via Taxi as the distance is not much and the fares are also not that high.

Best Time To Visit

Thimphu experiences a varied range of temperatures throughout the year, Spring and Autumn are considered to be the best seasons to visit the city. Here is a brief description of the seasons to pick the best one for you:

-Spring: During the months of March to May, the flowers are at full bloom and nature at its best. The temperatures range from 7 to 18 degrees Celcius. The perfect season to experience Thimphu.

-Summer: The temperatures range from 10 to 22 degrees Celcius with mild rain showers. Not the best time to visit Thimphu.

-Autumn: The temperatures during this period range from 4 to 20 degrees Celcius. It is one of the best seasons to visit Thimphu. The weather remains cool and calm with clear skies.

-Winters: Winters in Thimphu are quite extreme with temperatures dropping down up to -10 degrees Celcius. It is advisable to avoid visiting during this season if you do not embrace cold temperatures.

Other Essential Information

-Location: The National Memorial Chorten is situated on the Deoboom Lam in the central part of the city of Thimphu, near the main roundabout and the Indian Military Hospital.

-Opening Hours: 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M (All 7 days of the week)

-Entry Fee: Apart from those paying a daily minimum package rate of $200/$250 shall be charge Nu. 300/Adult and Nu. 150/Student. Entry to kids below 5 years of age is free of cost. Those paying for a minimum daily package shall have to show their visa clearance at the entry of the Chorten.

-Best Time: The best time to visit the Chorten in during the early hours of the day, before the sun strikes up un on your head.

-Distance from Nearest Airport: The Nearest Airport from the National Memorial Chorten is the Paro International Airport which is 52 kilometers away.

History of the National Memorial Chorten

The National Memorial Chorten was constructed in the memory of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo (head of the Kingdom of Bhutan), Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who passed away in 1972. The idea behind the construction of the memorial was put forward by Thinley Norbu. Norbu was a significant teacher in the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Phuntsho Choten, mother of Jigme Dorji, was the primary patron behind the construction of this beautiful structure.

The monument was built in 1974 and turned out to be one of the biggest and the most significant religious structures in the whole of Bhutan. It allows a peek into the philosophies of the Buddhist Kingdom. The Moenlam Prayer Festival, the most important religious festival of Bhutan, also takes place in this very monument. The religious head of Bhutan, Je Khenpo, addresses the festival which is attended by people from all over Bhutan.

The architecture of The National Memorial Chorten:

The Memorial has been designed in a Tibetan style Chorten which replicates the design of a traditional stupa with an addition of a pyramidical pillar crowned by a sun and a crescent moon. It also perfectly exemplifies Bhutanese and Buddhist architecture and artwork with its astonishing paintings and intricate artwork throughout the complex.

The Chorten is a huge white structure with a golden spire at the top and a smaller spire at the top of the front porch. The front porch of the monument is approached through a small beautiful garden and a Tibetan style gate decorated with 3 slate carvings. The interiors of the Chorten are decorated with carved annexures and contain statues, mandalas, and a shrine dedicated to Druk Gyalpo.

Facts about the National Memorial Chorten:

1. National Memorial Chorten is the only stupa in Bhutan which does not contain the remains of any religious leader or a king.

2. The memorial of Tantric Buddhism is located in the topmost room of the Memorial Chorten.

3. It is also known as the “most visible religious monument” in the whole of Bhutan.

4. It is one of the most important landmarks of the city, given its huge golden spire and the golden bells.

5. From the Ground floor, staircases lead to two more floors within the Memorial Chorten and each of the floors has 4 shrines.

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The National Memorial Chorten FAQs

Which are the famous festivals celebrated in the National Memorial Chorten Museum?

The most significant festival that takes place at the National Memorial Chorten is the festival of Moenlam Prayer Festival. On this day, the religious head of Bhutan addresses and blesses the people of Bhutan. This festival attracts a lot of Buddhist devotees from all around the country.

Why is the National Memorial Chorten Famous?

Apart from being a memoir to the third leader of the Kingdom of Bhutan, National Memorial is also famous due to its religious importance in the Bhutanese culture. Additionally, it is architecturally beautiful, thus attracting locals as well as international travellers. Visiting the Chorten is a must for anyone visiting Thimphu even for a short while.

Is there any Transportation facility available from city centre to the museum?

You can easily get yourself a metered taxi from the city centre to travel to the National Memorial Chorten.

Who built the National Memorial Chorten?

The idea of Construction of the National Memorial Chorten was put forward by Thinley Norbu, a major teacher in the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The construction was majorly funded by the mother of the 3rd Drug Gyalpo of Bhutan.

The National Memorial Chorten Reviews

Joise Luke

Reviewed: 03 Jan 2023

5.0/5

Booked:Vacation in Bhutan | FREE Excursion to Taktsang

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