The National Memorial Chorten, located in the heart of Thimphu, is one of the city’s most prominent religious landmarks and a focal point of daily spiritual life for many Bhutanese. Built in 1974, the chorten was constructed in memory of His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third King of Bhutan, often regarded as the “Father of Modern Bhutan.” Unlike other stupas, this chorten does not enshrine human remains but is filled with sacred Buddhist relics, texts, and images. The whitewashed structure, topped with a golden spire and richly decorated with intricate mandalas, statues, and traditional Bhutanese carvings, represents the mind of the Buddha. Locals and visitors can often be seen circumambulating the chorten clockwise, spinning its large prayer wheels, or offering prayers. Surrounded by prayer flags, manicured gardens, and smaller stupas, the National Memorial Chorten is not only an architectural highlight of Thimphu but also a living symbol of faith, peace, and the enduring legacy of Bhutan’s beloved third King.