National Memorial Chorten

Overview

The Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in honor of her son, the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is known as the "Father of Modern Bhutan." Unlike other chortens, it does not house human remains but instead contains a photo of the late King and sacred Buddhist texts, serving as a monument to world peace.

The architecture is distinctively Tibetan in style, featuring classical pyramid shapes and golden spires. Throughout the day, a constant stream of elderly citizens and young families can be seen walking clockwise around the white structure, spinning the large red prayer wheels. The chorten is particularly vibrant during religious festivals and the King’s birthday, when it becomes the heart of the city's spiritual celebrations.