Heritage Sites and Archaeology Division

27/06/2026

Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Bhutan Temple Complex at Lumbini, Nepal

27 June 2026

The Salhang Tendrel (Groundbreaking Ceremony) for the construction of the Bhutan Temple Complex at Lumbini, Nepal—the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha—was successfully conducted today under the auspices of His Eminence the Dorji Lopen Rinpoche, who presided over the sacred ceremony.

The auspicious occasion was attended by the Hon'ble Minister for Home Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Government of Nepal, the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, senior government officials, officials from the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development and distinguished delegates from both Bhutan and Nepal.

The Heritage Sites and Archaeology Division, Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development prepared the architectural design and the complete set of technical drawings for the proposed Bhutan Temple Complex as part of its mandate to conserve and promote Bhutan's architectural heritage

Upon completion, the Bhutan Temple Complex will serve as a sacred place of pilgrimage, prayer, and contemplation for devotees from Bhutan and around the world, while further strengthening the enduring spiritual, cultural, and historical ties between the Kingdom of Bhutan and Nepal.

May this sacred temple stand as a lasting symbol of the Buddha's teachings, fostering peace, compassion, and wisdom for generations to come.

23/06/2026

23/06/2026

Prayer Offerings on the Occasion of Her Majesty The Gyalyum's Birth Anniversary

On the auspicious occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Her Majesty The Gyalyum Tshering Yangdoen Wangchuck on 21st June, project staffs and workers engaged in Heritage Conservation Projects across the country offered butter lamps and prayers for Her Majesty's good health, long life, and everlasting happiness.

The Heritage Sites and Archaeology Division is pleased to share these moments of devotion and felicitation from our project sites in honour of Her Majesty.

May Her Majesty be blessed with continued peace, happiness, and longevity. 🙏🇧🇹

23/06/2026

Successful Completion of the 5th Training Course on Conservation of Heritage Buildings

The 5th Training Course on Conservation of Heritage Buildings, capacity-building program was successfully completed yesterday

Conducted from 28 May to 22 June 2026, the training aimed to strengthen the professional knowledge and practical skills of participants in the conservation and preservation of Bhutan’s traditional heritage buildings. The program focused on Bhutanese traditional architecture, principles of heritage conservation, traditional construction techniques, and practical approaches to safeguarding our built cultural heritage.

As part of the final assessment, participants developed and presented conservation proposals for the historic Dechenphodrang site, demonstrating their understanding of conservation principles, analytical skills, and commitment to preserving Bhutan’s architectural heritage.

The training concluded with a certificate award ceremony on 22 June 2026, recognizing the successful completion of the course by all participants.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the participants for their dedication and hard work throughout the training. We also express our sincere appreciation to the resource persons, facilitators, and experts whose invaluable contributions made the program a success.

Through such initiatives, the Department continues to strengthen national capacity in heritage conservation and promote the sustainable preservation of Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage for future generations.

18/06/2026

05/06/2026

04/06/2026

Hands-On Learning for Heritage Conservation

As part of the ongoing conservation training program, the participants have been actively engaged in both classroom learning and field-based experiences to deepen their understanding of heritage conservation in Bhutan.

Beyond the theoretical sessions, the trainees were taken to Dechenphodrang Lhakhang, Thimphu, where they explored traditional Bhutanese architecture and conservation challenges on the ground.

These immersive visits allowed the participants to observe and reflect on the complexities of conserving Bhutan’s built heritage. Through such engagements, they not only applied conservation principles in real-world contexts but also gained a deeper appreciation for the values and techniques that underpin Bhutanese architectural heritage.

The training continues to empower private professionals in the field of heritage conservation.

28/05/2026

The Heritage Sites and Archaeology Division under the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development formally commenced the 5th Training Course on Conservation of Heritage Buildings today.

The training, which will be conducted from 28th May 2026 to 19th June 2026, aims to strengthen professional knowledge and practical skills in the conservation and preservation of Bhutan’s traditional heritage buildings. The course also serves as a platform for promoting traditional construction knowledge and building technical capacity in heritage conservation.

During the opening ceremony, the importance of safeguarding Bhutan’s unique architectural heritage and building a skilled pool of conservation professionals for the future was highlighted. The Department remains committed to promoting sustainable conservation practices and supporting the continued preservation of the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

27/05/2026

The Heritage Sites and Archaeology Division (HSAD), DCDD, in collaboration with the College of Science and Technology under the Royal University of Bhutan, successfully conducted shaking table tests on:

🔸 One adobe building sample
🔸 One cement-stabilized earth brick (CSEB) building sample

These tests were carried out for two groups of final-year Civil Engineering students as part of their Bachelor of Civil Engineering final-year research project.

This initiative reflects DCDD’s continued support to CST in conducting cutting-edge research in earthquake engineering, diversifying research projects, and providing students with opportunities to learn and utilize state-of-the-art research facilities.
This achievement marks a major third-year milestone in advancing research and innovation in earthquake engineering in collaboration with CST, contributing towards improved seismic resilience, sustainable construction practices, and the preservation of Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage.

04/05/2026

Re-Announcement: The Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development would like to inform that the registration for the “5th Training course on Conservation of Heritage Buildings” is extended till 16th May.

This specialized training program aims to strengthen professional capacity in the conservation and preservation of Bhutan's traditional and heritage buildings. Interested private technical professionals (architects and engineers) are requested to apply for the training program.

The application must be submitted to the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, Kawangjangsa, Thimphu on or before 16th May 2026. For more details, please visit:
https://sites.google.com/moha.gov.bt/e-learning-platform

For further information regarding the course, please contact:
Mrs. Sangay Choden (Course Coordinator),
e-mail: [email protected]
Contact Number: 77887915