Embrace Bhutan Cultural Tour
Thimphu | Bhutan
08 Nov 2019 | Fri
Day 02 of 13
National Memorial Chorten Thimphu
Our First Stop of the Day
After a group breakfast at our hotel (Norkhil Boutique Hotel and Spa), it was time to venture to our first tourist destination stop of the day, the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu. As it turns out it was only a few minutes away from our hotel (along the same road, Doebum Lam).
A Spiritual Place for Locals (and Tourists)
The Memorial Chorten is one of the most visible and visited places in Thimphu. It is a spiritual place for local Bhutanese people (and tourists) to do prayers, prostration (a gesture used in Buddhist practice to show reverence to the Triple Gem), turn the large red and gold prayer wheels, offer butter lamps, and circumambulate (the act of moving around a sacred object).
A Way to Gain Merit
Another popular activity to gain merit by lighting a butter lamp and circumambulating (walking around) the Chorten three times.
Some Spend the Whole Day
Some older Bhutanese people bring their packed lunches and spend the whole day socializing with their friends while praying. On auspicious days (a day thought to present a positive outcome), religious ceremonies are organized which attract many people.