25/04/2023
The Great Buddha Dordenma is a massive statue of Shakyamuni Buddha located in the mountains of Bhutan, overlooking the city of Thimphu. The statue stands at a height of 54 meters (177 feet) and is made of bronze and gilded in gold.
Construction of the statue began in 2006, as a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The project was funded by both the Bhutanese government and private donations, and it took nearly 10 years to complete.
The statue is located on a hilltop in Kuenselphodrang, a forested area just outside of Thimphu. Visitors can reach the statue by hiking up a series of steps or by driving up the winding road that leads to the base of the statue.
In addition to being a major tourist attraction, the Great Buddha Dordenma is also a place of worship for Bhutanese Buddhists. Inside the statue, there are 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha, as well as several large prayer wheels. The statue is also surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Overall, the Great Buddha Dordenma is a symbol of Bhutan's deep connection to Buddhism and its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.