A deeply personal tribute inspired by love and gratitude for Bhutan’s Monarchs has brought international recognition to the country. What began as one Bhutanese man’s way of honouring the Kings has grown into a globally recognised initiative, earning prestigious awards and world record titles while showcasing Bhutan’s unique bond with its Monarchy.
In Bhutan, respect for the Monarchy is woven into everyday life. For 38-year-old Sonam Tshering from Sarpang, that respect became something more lasting.
Driven by gratitude for the selfless service and sacrifices of the Monarchs, he transformed a personal vision into the Temple of Monarch in Babesa, Thimphu.
Completed in late 2025 using his personal savings, the Temple of Monarch is described as the world’s first temple dedicated to living Monarchs. The space features portraits of Bhutan’s Kings alongside the National Flag, reflecting the country’s deep respect for the institution of Monarchy.
“So when we first started this, we actually wanted to build a place where we can show our tribute, our respect, our gratitude to His Majesty for his long life of sacrifices, the services that he rendered to us. And in conclusion, for us, it’s very simple. We have a king who loves us, loves us above all. And this is our small token of respect for the love that he gave us,” said Sonam Tshering, Founder of The Temple of Monarch.
The project took over four months to complete. Sonam said much of the construction was carried out after office hours, turning evenings and weekends into a labour of gratitude.
What started as a personal tribute soon drew international attention. After nearly a month of detailed assessment, three international record organisations recognised the initiative earlier this year. The Temple of Monarch was certified by the Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Tribute to Living Monarchs. It also received recognition from the Global Best of Records and the Asian Book of World Records.
According to Sonam, the verification process was unlike any ordinary record application because the category had never existed before.
“When we apply for world records, we need to have an entity of world standard, world-class; then you fulfil one requirement, the basic requirement. So after this, they gave us more than 500 questions. Part of the verification process includes: which is the biggest portrait, which is the smallest portrait, what is the reason behind the differences, which materials did you use, locations, the reasons, even starting from the time timelines, from the budget to everything. So, the reason why they gave us more than 500 questions was that this is a completely new category,” added Sonam.
The initiative also received the Golden International Award for Arts, Culture and Creative Impact this year.
Beyond the award, Sonam said the initiative has introduced Bhutan’s unique culture of loyalty and gratitude towards the Monarchy to audiences around the world, generating an international media reach of more than 181 million people.
While the temple has attracted visitors, Sonam said it was never intended to be a tourist attraction. Instead, it is a place of tribute for the Monarchs whose leadership has shaped the nation and its people.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sonam Pem
