Our Museums
The National Museum is open daily, except on government and local holidays.
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Ticket counter closes at 4:00 PM)
National Museum of Bhutan, Paro
Housed in the historic Ta-Dzong watchtower, the National Museum is a vibrant repository of Bhutanese art, artifacts, and spiritual relics. Its exhibits reflect the rich tapestry of Bhutan’s cultural evolution and the profound connection between its people and the natural world.
Phendey Lekshey Wangchuk
Officiating DirectorRinzin Namgyel
Chief ChemistKinley Gyeltshen
CuratorDorji Wangchuk
Museum AssistantYonten Zangmo
ElectricianSaraswati Gurung
Administrative AssistantLobzang Norbu
PhotographerKamal Pokwal
Conservation AssistantKarma Dem
Museum AssistantDechen Choden
Museum AssistantChimmi Wangmo
Museum AssistantDurga Maya Monger
Museum AssistantKencho
Museum AssistantDorji Zangmo
Museum AssistantPhurpa Zangmo
Museum AssistantPhuntsho Choden
Ticketing In-chargeKunzang Wangmo
Messenger
The Royal Heritage Museum is open Monday – Friday, and on Sat (March-May, Oct-Dec)
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Ticket counter closes at 4:00 PM)
- Closed on: Sundays and government holidays
Royal Heritage Museum, Trongsa
Overlooking the majestic Trongsa Dzong, this museum offers a captivating journey through the history of the Wangchuck dynasty, Bhutan's royal lineage. It showcases the architectural grandeur and spiritual significance that define Bhutan’s royal heritage.
Sangay Tashi
Head/ Dy. Chief CuratorLeki Samphel
Museum AssistantDechen Choki
Conservator AssistantKelzang Dawa
Assistant Curator
Ta-Dzong, Trashigang
A new frontier in cultural exploration located in the east of Bhutan, this site will expand Bhutan’s archaeological knowledge and foster educational tourism. It stands as a testament to our commitment to uncovering and celebrating Bhutan’s ancient roots.
Museums in the National Museum of Bhutan
Tshogzhing Lhakhang (Chapel of the Tree of Merit)
Located on the sixth floor of the National Museum of Bhutan, Tshogzhing Lhakhang holds profound religious and spiritual significance within Vajrayana Buddhism. Tshogzhing Lhakhang is a revered site for worship, meditation, and offering, embodying the principles of merit accumulation and spiritual purification.
At its heart lies a three-dimensional tree mandala, a symbolic representation of the four major schools of Vajrayana Buddhism—Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug. This mandala visually conveys the interconnectedness of Buddhist teachings, enlightened masters, tutelary deities, and protective guardians, reinforcing the spiritual lineage that guides practitioners on the path to enlightenment.
Namsey Phodrang (Temple of God of Wealth)
Located in the inner circular chamber on the fifth floor of the National Museum, Namsay Phodrang is a temple dedicated to Gyalpo Namthoe Sey (Skt. Kubera), a revered deity of fortune & wealth. This sacred site is dedicated to Norlha Namsey, the Buddhist guardian king of the northern celestial realm, revered for his association with wealth and prosperity.
It is believed that the God of Wealth can bestow spiritual and worldly wealth as well as a variety of blessings, the most important of which is economic stability by removing obstacles and boosting good fortune and contentment. Many business people come to pay their respects with unwavering faith and dedicate their good merits to others and in turn experience good fortune and become extremely successful.
Namsey is depicted riding on a snow lion and surrounded by his eight manifestations. On the east is the yellow Zambala, on the south is Gawazangpo, to the west is Tshongpon Norbu Zangpo, a legendary merchant who renounced wealth for religion and on the north is the Black Zambala. On the southeast stands Yandagshe Serpo, to the southwest, Thronyer Nagpo, in the northwest is Nyetshen Sercha and finally to the northeast side we have Zambala Khilwa Karpo.
The God of Wealth will grant blessings of wealth in each of the four directions so visitors should make their wishes quietly at the altar in front of each wealth-deity. If one’s mind is mired in greed, then the wishes may not be fulfilled.
Thangka gallery
The outer galleries of the 5th floor showcases Thangka paintings. The art of thangka painting was introduced to Bhutan as early as the 12th century C.E. and unlike other paintings, they are created to contribute to the spiritual fulfillment of a Buddhist practitioner.
The subjects of the Museum’s Thangka paintings are Buddhas, mandalas, guardian deities, and tutelary deities. There are also very fine paintings displayed of the great Buddhist scholars honorifically known as the Six Ornaments and Two Excellent Ones, and the Buddha’s Sixteen Arhats.
