National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu
Far away between the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, and behind masses of Fug, hides a small kingdom that resembles nothing but itself, a kingdom that drenches the elites of inherited happiness from generation to generation, and has been isolated from the outside world for a long time, fearing that A spiteful hand catches her, frightening the stranger and hugging the relative. For her, happiness is wealth that cannot be appreciated by money or prestige, which made it classified among the happiest countries and places in the world. You ask who is she? Is it real? Yeah. It is closer to a dream and beyond imagination! It is the "Kingdom of Bhutan", where happiness and peace are its titles.
The state of Bhutan is located in the continent of Asia, specifically at the northern end of the Himalayas. As it is bordered on the north and east by the Republic of China, and on the southern and western sides by India, Bhutan is considered one of the inland countries that have no outlet to the sea, but the Bay of Bengal is the closest coast to it from the northern side with a distance of 530 km, and from the countries bordering Bhutan on the western side, Nepal. It is separated from Nepal by the Indian state of Sikkim, and from the south with Bangladesh, and West Bengal separates it from Bangladesh. The country of Bhutan is 46620 km², which is nearly the same size as Switzerland in Europe. That is why this country is called the Asian Switzerland, and Tempo or Thimphu is the capital, and Bhutan has high mountain peaks; Its highest peak exceeds 7,000 meters above sea level, the most prominent of which is the Kola Gangiri summit, with a height of 7,554 meters, and is located on the northern border with China, and the summit of Chomu Hari, at a height of 7314 meters, on the western border with India.
What does Bhutan mean?
The People of Bhutan call their land “the land of the dragons”, but in the past it had many several names, such as: (Lu Moon) which means the dark countries of the South, (Lu Sind Yue Ng) which means the southern countries of Sindh, and (Lu Min Khazi) which means the southern countries with sprawling sides, And (Lu Min Young), which means the southern country of medicinal herbs, as it means for Tibetans (Puta Anta), meaning the end of Tibet, because it is located in the southern tip of the Tibetan plateau, and the word Bhutan dates back to the Sanskrit language meaning high lands.
The Demography of the state of Bhutan:
Buddhism is the official religion in Bhutan. As 90% of its population adheres to Buddhism, and 10% of them embrace the Hindu religion, as Buddhism spread in Bhutan during the seventh century AD; As a result of its location near the Himalayas, which host nearly 108 Buddhist temples; To spread Buddhism in all parts of Tibet. Bhutan has been greatly influenced by the Tibetan culture; Where the Bhutanese people descend in their origins from the origins of the church up, which are concentrated in the eastern side of the country and embrace Tibetan Buddhism, Drukpa Kagyu, and in the west of the country, the Nagalob dynasty is the most widespread in those regions, and it also traces its origins to the Tibetan plateaus.
The “Dzkha language” is the national language of the country, which is similar to the Tibetan languages, which number 53 Tibetan languages, and the population also speaks other languages, such as Nepali and Hindus, as well as English is taught alongside the national language; To advance the state in all economic projects. "Bhutan" is the first country in the world to adopt the “National Happiness Index” to measure its gross national product, and the first to coin the phrase "Gross National Happiness" in 1971 was the fourth king of "the Kingdom of Bhutan", Jigme Singai Wangchuck, who emphasized that "National Happiness Gross” is more important than gross domestic product.
For his thinking in a completely different concept... “The happiness of the homeland is not associated with economic prosperity, not even with development and demographic growth, but with an appreciation of the meaning of life and the existence of man in this universe and on this earth.” This is his theory, as he used to emphasize that the happiness of those around him is more important than keeping up with countries With economic achievements or technological inventions in his kingdom, and this helped him to maintain the consolidation of the identity of the people of the "Kingdom of Bhutan"
The Memorial Stupa, Thimphu or (Thimphu Chorten):
Chorten Thimphu or Memorial Chorten is located near the main roundabout and India's military hospital in Thimphu, Bhutan on Doeboom Lam on the southern and central part of the town and it is one of the most iconic monuments in Bhutan. The stupa was established in 1974 to honor Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the father of modern Bhutan and the third Druk Gyalpo (1928–1972), and has become the most important sights in the city with its golden spires and cloches. It has been consecrated by Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje. It is commonly known between people as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan".
Thinley Norbu (1904-1987), in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, created the idea of Thimphu's Memorial Chorten. It was built in 1974 to honor the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck as mentioned previously. Dorji Wangchuck had died in 1972. Phuntsho Choden, the mother of Druk Gyalpo, was the main cause behind building the Memorial Chorten. The name Chorten means the “Seat of Faith” monuments such as Chorten is usually called “Mind of Buddha” by the Buddhists. The Chorten, with its beautiful paintings and complicated sculptures, is an outstanding example of Buddhist architecture, it consists of a large white structure crowned with a golden spire.
The idea of the Memorial Chorten with totally different from all the other memorial buildings, as it does not enshrine human remains. It only included Druk Gyalpo’s photo in a ceremonial dress adorns a hall on the ground floor.
