Rising from the hills just 8 km (4.2 miles) from Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, and perched at 2,550 meters (8,336 feet), the Buddha Dordenma commands both reverence and awe. Facing 270° north and 890° into the Eastern Himalayas, this towering 51.5-meter (169 ft) bronze statue, gilded in gold, honours the Enlightened One and watches peacefully over the valley.

The name "Dordenma" is inspired by Bodhgaya's Sarnath, where Buddha attained enlightenment. The project began in 2005 under Lam Tshering Wangdi, supported by Peter T., with blessings from the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and the 70th Je Khenpo, Tulku Jigme Choeda. Though incomplete, it was opened to the public on 25th September 2015 to mark His Majesty's 60th birth anniversary.

The statue's cost alone reached USD 47 million, with the third eye—or Bindu—costing $1 million. In total, the project has approached $200 million. Artisans built the Buddha from bronze and copper, applying gold leaf to the hands and face. Inside the two-storied 61.2-meter temple are 100,000 8-inch and 2,500 12-inch gilded Buddha statues, radiating spiritual calm.

Visitors approach through Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. The air is rich with chants, incense, and quiet devotion. Students, pilgrims, and travellers find space to reflect, photograph, or meditate in this serene sanctuary.

Buddha Dordenma is more than a statue—it is Bhutan's luminous heart, promising peace in a rapidly changing world.