Dechen Phodrang Monastery, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Dechen Phodrang Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located north of Thimphu city center, featuring a central hall that houses a Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The complex includes multiple structures comprising a chapel dedicated to protective deities and educational buildings used for religious instruction.
The monastery was established as Bhutan's principal monastic school in 1971, shifting from a purely religious site to an educational institution. This transformation made it one of the country's most important centers for training young monks.
The monastery displays intricate wall paintings from the 12th century in the Guru Lhakhang that were preserved during restoration work. The painted spaces tell stories of Buddhist teachings through their visual depictions.
The lower chapel welcomes visitors during daylight hours, while the protective deities chapel admits only male visitors. Plan your visit during bright hours since artificial lighting is limited throughout the complex.
The monastery houses a significant statue of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on its upper floor, a central figure in Bhutan's spiritual history. This statue is often overlooked by visitors despite being essential to understanding the monastery's deeper meaning.
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