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Buddha Dordenma statue, Thimphu District
The construction of 177 feet Buddha Dordenma statue began in 2006 and was completed on 25 September 2015 (wikipedia). It was built to represent Bhutan’s cultural and spiritual landmark, and commemorate the 60th anniversary of fourth King of Bhutan. This monumental statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is located on a mountain top overlooking Thimphu city. the 60th anniversary of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Made of bronze and gilded in gold, the Great Buddha Statue houses over 125,000 smaller Buddha statues. Budddha Dordenma is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.
Taktshang, Paro District
As instructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye, laid the foundation stones for the Taktshang Monastery on the cliffside in 1692. Inside the temple, the bronze statue of Guru Rinpoche, which is said to have spoken in 1951 is the main image, crafted by a renowned craftsman from Nepal called “Pentsa”. In the 8th century Guru Padmasambhava came to Taktshang cave, transformed as Guru Dorje Droloe riding on a tigress to subdue all eight classes of malevolent spirits and thereby bounding them with oath as protectors of dharma. After Guru Rinpoche, various other renowned Buddhist saints like Langchen Palgyi Sengé, Jetsun Milarepa (1040-1123), and Lam Phajo Drugom Zhigpo (1184-1251) came to meditate at Taktshang.
Punakha Dzong, Punakha District
Punakha Dzong is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu (mother) and Pho Chhu (father) rivers. It is also known as Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Drong, meaning a Palace of Great Happiness. Built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637-38, the Dzong is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. It holds sacred relics from the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the revered remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and the Tertoen Pema Lingpa. It used to be the former capital of Bhutan, till 1955. The Dzong is the summer residence of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan, and currently serves as the administration headquarter of Punakha District.