Buddha Dordenma Statue
One of the most prominent and noticeable monuments in Thimphu is the Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselphodrang in Thimphu. The statue houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which like the large statue itself, are made of bronze and gilded in gold.
The Buddha Dordenma sits serenely atop an ornately decorated stand rising 54 meters towards the celestial realms. It is located in the hallowed ruins of Kueselphodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuk the thirteenth Druk Desi, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
The Buddha Dordenma thus, not only gazes with his all-knowing eyes over the Thimphu valley and all those who enter and inhabit the city, but keeps reassuring watch reminding and nudging us of the need to be mindful and compassionate within the all encapsulating ephemerality and unpredictable nature of our lives.
Construction began in 2006 and completed in 2015, five years later than its scheduled completion in 2010. The statue within the inner sanctums and antechambers houses 100,000 8 inch tall 25,000 12 inch gilded bronze Buddhas.
The Buddha Dordenma is not only a cherished place of worship and venue for important religious prayers and offerings but a much-loved site for visitors and tourists throughout the year. It is also a preferred spot for early morning joggers, bikers and late evening strollers.
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