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Bhutan's Culture

Bhutan's Architecture

Bhutan's Architecture Mani-walls Palaces

Different types of Chortens

Mani-walls

Mani-wall Mani-walls are stone walls that support a number of stones carved with sacred formulas. These formulas are either those of the three protective Bodhisattvas (Chenrezi, Jampelyang and Chhana Dorje) or a simple prayer Om Mani Padme Hum, from which the name has been derived.

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Palaces

Gangtey Palace, Paro Construction of palaces took place with the coming to power of the Wangchuck dynasty, starting with Jigme Namgyal, the father of the first king. It can be explained by the fact that from the end of the last century the country experienced a period of stability and peace, and the need for fortress type Dzongs had diminished. Palaces were built between 1870 and 1940 and are mostly found in the Bumthang and Trongsa regions. Their basic pattern is very similar to that of a dzong. A central building houses the residence of the master, and the upper floor, the private chapel.

It is surrounded by a courtyard enclosed by an outer structure in which the servants' quarters and the kitchen are located. The palaces have been richly decorated with woodwork, and even the outer building has been embellished with numerous painted windows.