Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre - WPMCC

13/06/2026

See you at the Bhutan for Wellbeing Festival.

12/06/2026

[𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒]- (𝟏𝟒) – 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧 (𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚)

This clay statue of Hayagriva is part of the King’s chamber gallery at the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre, based on figures that formed the shrine of the monarch’s meditational deities, 𝘺𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘮. It is made through 𝘫𝘪𝘯𝘻𝘰, one of Bhutan’s oldest sculptural practices. The surface is left largely unpainted, with the horse head, face, and ritual elements highlighted in gold.

Hayagriva, known as Tandin in Himalayan Buddhism, literally means “horse-headed” or “horse-necked,” from 𝘩𝘢𝘺𝘢 (horse) and 𝘨𝘳ī𝘷𝘢 (neck). The horse head rising from the crown is the defining feature. It is associated with the neigh as awakened speech, understood as a force that cuts through ignorance, shifts perception, and subdues what obstructs.

When Trongsa Pönlop Jigme Namgyel was troubled by a malevolent spirit, Lama Jangchub Tsündrü advised him to take up the practice of Hayagriva as a protective deity. In this context, Hayagriva is understood as a wrathful emanation of Buddha Akshobhya (𝘔𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘶𝘬𝘱𝘢), the “Unshakeable,” and is also associated with Avalokiteshvara (𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘻𝘪). He is invoked as a remover of obstacles and is said to announce his presence through a piercing neigh that unsettles and overcomes harmful forces even before he appears.

This form also carries a philosophical meaning tied to the path toward enlightenment. The sound is understood to break through false illusions. What is encountered as an external threat is also recognized as something shaped by the mind. As that dissolves, a different clarity becomes possible. The forceful features of Hayagriva are not incidental, but tied to this act of confronting and cutting through both inner and outer obstacles.

𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘶𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘩𝘰𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.

11/06/2026

Our colleagues, Lhatsho and Pema, are representing the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre at the inaugural Bhutan International Travel Mart (BITM) in Thimphu. We are delighted to learn that our stall has been attracting considerable interest and support from visitors, industry professionals, and fellow participants. We wish them a successful and rewarding event as they showcase the rich history, heritage, and cultural significance of Wangduechhoeling Palace to a wider audience.

Department of Tourism Secretariat 🙏🙏🙏
Damcho Rinzin
Bhutan International Travel Mart

11/06/2026

As part of the build-up activities to the Bhutan for Wellbeing Festival, which will take place in Bumthang this weekend (13–14 June), we joined the festival organizers in a tree plantation drive across the Chamkhar Valley.

We were delighted to be joined by the festival’s MCs, the lively Farmer Sangay and popular actor Choyang Phuntsho.

A total of 150 cypress trees will be planted within the premises of the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre.



Hotel & Restaurant Association of Bhutan
Department of Tourism Secretariat

10/06/2026

𝐁𝐮𝐦𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲?

The Bhutan for Wellbeing Festival is happening in Bumthang this weekend (June 13-14), bringing together a wide range of activities, experiences, and services for everyone to enjoy coordinated by the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Bhutan.

Be sure to check out the exciting Heritage Treasure Hunt and discover the rich history and heritage of our beautiful valley in a fun and engaging way.

We look forward to seeing you all at the festival! We are excited! Are you?

Department of Tourism Secretariat
Bumthang Dzongkhag Administration

10/06/2026

On the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck’s birth anniversary, we join the nation in offering our humble prayers and heartfelt wishes. May Her Majesty be blessed with long life, continued good health, and enduring happiness. May all of Her Majesty’s noble and compassionate endeavors in the service of the Tsa-Wa-Sum be fulfilled effortlessly. 🙏🙏🙏

09/06/2026

Some more glimpses from the Inter-School Cultural Competition held on 4 June 2026 at Wangduechhoeling Palace, Bumthang, in commemoration of the Birth Anniversary of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen.

The event brought together students from across the district to celebrate Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage through songs, dances, and performances. Filled with youthful energy, remarkable talent, and healthy competition, the day served as a vibrant reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting our cultural traditions while inspiring the next generation to take pride in their heritage.

09/06/2026

Excited to participate in the inaugural Bhutan International Travel Mart in Thimphu.

Thank you Department of Tourism Secretariat and Director Damcho Rinzin for the opportunity la.

We are honored to introduce Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum & Cultural Centre (WPMCC)

Built in 1857 by Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel. The very ground where the First King of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck, was born. After a meticulous decade-long restoration by the Bhutan Foundation and Department of Culture, it now stands as a world-class living museum.
And the world took notice - TIME Magazine named it one of the World's Greatest Places of 2025.
History is waiting. See it at BITM.
Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO)
Department of Tourism Secretariat
Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre - WPMCC

05/06/2026

Snippets of the Rigsar Category of the Inter School Cultural Competition conducted yesterday to commemorate the birth anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, also our Royal Patron 🙏🙏🙏.

05/06/2026

Snippets of the Boedra Category of the Inter School Cultural Competition conducted yesterday to commemorate the birth anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, also our Royal Patron 🙏🙏🙏.