Dechen Phodrang Tourism

Type of destination: Monastery

Dechen Phodrang, meaning 'Palace of Great Bliss', is a Buddhist monastery located in the northern part of Thimphu, Bhutan. This historic site sits atop a hill with a stunning backdrop of the Thimphu valley and the surrounding mountains. It was originally the site of Thimphu's original Dzong (fortress-monastery) and has been the seat of Bhutan's state monastic body. Today, Dechen Phodrang is a monastic school with approximately 450 student monks enrolled in eight-year courses, which follow a comprehensive study of the Buddhist philosophy and text as well as monastic rituals. The monastery houses a number of sacred and ancient Bhutanese artifacts including 12th-century paintings, which are well preserved and illustrate stories from Buddhism's history. The site also offers splendid views of the Thimphu valley and is an excellent example of Bhutanese architectural traditions with its richly decorated buildings and intricate paintings.

Top 2 Reviews on Dechen Phodrang

X6428WRanthonyc

Wrote on 20th Mar, 2024

It was wonderful to listen to the young monks chanting mantras

We were fascinated by this place. This is also a monastery school for the young monks, located not far from the Bhutanese parliament building. Together with the local guide, we entered the main temple..

namgayt

Wrote on 21st Apr, 2023

Dechenphodrang Monastery-Scerene and Spiritual

Today, a visit to Dechen Phodrang Thimphu provided an opportunity to connect to a spiritual plane. Resident monks greeted the guests with hospitality and proceeded to offer prayers for peace, harmony,..

Dechen Phodrang Tourism

Dechen Phodrang Tourism

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