A 177ft gilded Buddha statue looks over Thimphu like a guardian angel. In front of him, a sea of monks dressed in orange, maroon and burgundy robes perform the Drolma Jigchobma Bumtshok, a practice dedicated to goddess Tara, a female deity associated with compassion, protection, and guidance.
Bhikkhunīs (nuns) of all ages make up most of the assembly reciting the mantras 100,000 times while facing the gigantic $47m Buddha Dordenma statue which was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Enclosed within the statue are an overwhelming 125,000 miniatures of Buddha occupying each corner of every wall.
