History:

is one of the oldest buildings in Bhutan. It is located on the ridge of a hill just beside the main entrance of Thimphu town. The monastery is believed to be built before 1629, during the reign of the second king, Chhogyal Minjur Tempa. The other buildings were added in the 18th century by the 13th Druk Desi and the 4th Druk Desi. The monastery is believed to be the residence of the Drukpas or Bhutanese lamas. It is a very important spiritual site for the locals of Bhutan and is considered as a spiritual icon of Thimphu city. This monastery complex consists of a main temple, several houses, a library and a meditation centre. Inside the monastery, there are small statues of thunder dragons, which are typical of Bhutanese Buddhist architecture. The monastery also houses several historical artifacts, including ancient weapons, armor and masks. It is one of the best temple in Bhutan which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Dodedrak Monastery is a 17th-century Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. 2. It is established by Ngadak Sempa Chenpo Ngawang Namgyal in 1637 CE. 3. It is situated at an elevation of 2650 meters (8700 feet) on a ridge overlooking the Thimphu valley. 4. The monastery is a part of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism and its main deity is Padmasambhava, known as Guru Rinpoche. 5. The monastery is inside a tree-shaded compound, containing golden-roofed shrines, thangkas, velves, murals and statues. 6. The Dodedrak Monastery is a living monastery with around 50 monks in residence. 7. The monastery is also home to a 700-year-old relic of Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. 8. There are regular prayers, pujas, and traditional Buddhist rituals performed here. 9. Dodedrak Monastery is one of the finest examples of traditional Bhutanese architecture. 10. The monastery is open to tourists and visitors and it is best to visit it in the morning as the views from the top of the ridgeline are beautiful. Here are some facts about the Bhutan temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Bhutan

Worship Method:

The Dodedrak Monastery located in Thimphu, Bhutan, is the largest Buddhist temple in Bhutan. Worshippers at the temple practice a type of Mahayana Buddhism that includes the practice of meditation and Buddhist philosophy. During worship services at the monastery, worshipping individuals will typically perform three types of rituals: chanting (including recitation of mantras and prayers), prostration (full body prostration), and offering of gifts. In some cases the gifting of tea and rice, along with sweaters and other items may also be done as part of the ritual. The chanting of mantras is important part of worship at Dodedrak Monastery. Chanting involves the repeated recitation of specific sacred syllables, words, or phrases. Common examples include om mani padme hum and om tare tuttare ture soha. The prayers chanted at Dodedrak Monastery include dedications to the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and other enlightened masters. Prostrations are another important part of the worship services practiced at the Dodedrak Monastery. During a prostration, the worshipper will kneel down and press their forehead and palms to the ground in a gesture of humility and respect. This symbolizes the individual’s understanding that they are part of a much greater and enlightened world that transcends their individual identities. Offering of gifts is also an important part of worship services at the Dodedrak Monastery. Worshippers will typically bring gifts such as tea, rice, incense, candles, and other items as an offering to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas being worshipped. These offerings are meant to symbolize the worshipper’s sincere respect and appreciation for the enlightened masters. Overall, the worship services practiced at Dodedrak Monastery in Thimphu, Bhutan, are rooted in Mahayana Buddhism and include chanting, prostration, and offering of gifts. This most visited temple in Bhutan

Opening Timing:

Dodrak Monastery opens every morning from 8:00am to 12:00pm and again from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. It is open every day except for Tuesdays. top temples in Bhutan

How to reach:

Dodedrak Monastery is located in the western part of Thimphu, Bhutan. To reach this monastery from Thimphu, you can take a taxi or a bus. Alternatively, you can take a shared taxi from the Thimphu Intercity Bus Terminus to the junction of Tendrelthang and turn left. The monastery is located 3 km from this intersection. famous temples in Bhutan