Religious architecture in Bhutan

Religious architecture

Light years away from the intense tourist activity that has engulfed Himalayan towns such as Kathmandu and Nepal, Bhutan actively works at preserving traditional methods of construction; there is even a royal decree obliging villagers to respect the style of the Bhutanese houses, whose upper part is made of wood and often decorated with coloured motifs. As for the religious architecture, which is inspired by Tibet, it is truly enchanting. There are buildings symbolising the five elements, with one building erected in memory of a lama and another to protect the traveller from bad spirits. Every building should always be passed on the left. The lhakangs (temples) are distinguished from residences by a wide red band which decorates the upper part of the walls. However, the most impressive buildings dominating the valleys are unquestionably the sixteen dzongs (fortress monasteries) scattered over the whole of the territory, which house both the region's monastic community and the government offices.

Other reasons to go

1.   Landscapes

2.   Towns

3.   The fauna and flora

4.   Religious architecture

5.   Religious holidays