National Memorial Choeten

Dudul Yuley Namgyal Choeten or National Memorial Choeten is located at the heart of the Thimphu City. Foresighted by the 3rd King, late Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and was constructed by the Royal great Grandmother, late Ashi Phuntsho Choden in 1974 in the Memorium of her son, the 3rd King. Other reason behind was also to thwart the evil forces and to bring peace and prosperity to the world.

The shape of the choeten was architected by Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshey Dorji popularly known as Dudjom Rinpoche. In a book called Norbu Bedrul Yai Doshel, written by Dungsey Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, the son of the architect, it is clearly written that the choeten was built in line with the teachings of Guru Rinpoche and the Nyingmapa tradition.

The choeten is of three storeys of which the ground floor is dedicated to Phurba Lhatshog. It also has the portrait of Late King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

The first floor is an abode of Kagyed and the second to the Gongdue.

The top floor has the images of Khrowo Nampur Gyalwa, one of the manifestations of Phurba (Vajrakilaya) and the statues of Zhabdrung, Guru Tshengyed (eight aspects of Guru Rinpoche) and Khenlopchesum comprising Guru Rinpoche, Khenpo Bodhisattva, and Choegyel (Dharma King) Thrisong Duetshen.

All the three floors are under the umbrella of sun, moon and the golden pinnacle. The choeten has four porticos at the four directions with the images of four guardian kings.

The four edges of the choeten are adorned with 10ft pillars loaded with an image of a snow lion each. These snow lions are seen chained to the choeten. People believe that these Snow lions protect choeten from flying away.