Golden Mandir Gelephu: Bhutan's Gilded Shiva Temple
By Best of Bhutan Research Desk · October 14, 2026 · 11 min read
The Golden Mandir in Gelephu is the Shivalaya Yagyaswar Mahadev Mandir, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on the banks of the Shetikhari river in Sarpang. His Majesty The King gifted the temple to the Hindu community, and it was consecrated on 25 July 2018. In September 2026 His Majesty commanded that it be gilded, and the temple is now being covered in gold to become a landmark of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). Completion will be celebrated on 1 November 2026.
According to BBS, His Majesty prayed during a visit that the mandir would become one of the finest of its kind in the world. GMC Governor Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering told BBS it would be "adorned, inside and out, with the finest gold available." A public donation campaign is funding the work.
This page brings together what is known about the temple: its history, its architecture, the gilding project, how contributions work, and what visitors need to know. It also includes an interactive 3D model you can turn, zoom and switch between the original stone finish and gold.
The Golden Mandir in 3D
Drag to turn the model, pinch or use the buttons to zoom, and use Stone · 2018 / Gold · 2026 to compare the two finishes. The steps walk through the site, the hall, the tower, the niches and the gilding.
The model is illustrative, built by Best of Bhutan from published photographs. It is not an architectural drawing, and proportions are approximate.
Free to embed with attribution — copy the snippet below.
<iframe src="https://bestbhutan.com/embeds/golden-mandir-3d" width="100%" height="680" loading="lazy" title="Golden Mandir 3D model - Gelephu, Bhutan" style="border:0"></iframe>Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | What is known |
|---|---|
| Official name | Shivalaya Yagyaswar Mahadev Mandir |
| Known as | Golden Mandir, Gelephu Mindfulness City |
| Dedicated to | Lord Shiva (Mahadev) |
| Location | Banks of the Shetikhari river, Gelephu, Sarpang district, within GMC |
| Built | July 2016 – May 2018 |
| Consecrated | 25 July 2018, as a royal gift to the Hindu community |
| Style | Nagara (north Indian) temple architecture |
| Gilding | Spire, outer structures and sacred elements, inside and out |
| Gilding announced | 11 September 2026, by press release from the Prime Minister's Office |
| Donations (6 Oct 2026) | Nu 7,098,982.48 and 6.925 g of gold from 1,771 contributors |
| Donation deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Visitor access | Restricted until 31 October 2026 during the work |
| Completion celebration | 1 November 2026, the same day as Project 108 |
| Donation portal | goldenmandir.bt |
History of the Shivalaya Mandir
A royal gift to the Hindu community
Construction of the mandir began in July 2016 and was completed in May 2018, according to a 2018 BBS report. The temple was a gift from His Majesty The King to the Hindu community of Sarpang. It was formally inaugurated and consecrated on 25 July 2018, as the Prime Minister's Office restated when the gilding was announced (UNI).
Kuensel notes that before the temple existed, devotees from Gelephu travelled to Bihar in India to offer water to Lord Shiva during the Shravani Mela. That ritual now takes place in Gelephu: the mandir hosts the month-long Bolbam festival every year. In 2021, His Majesty granted the Dashain tika to representatives of Gelephu's Hindu community at the mandir.
A sacred area by the Shetikhari
The temple sits in a wider sacred landscape. In December 2018, His Holiness the Je Khenpo performed the ground-breaking for a 3.4-acre Moenlam prayer ground at Shetikhari, near the mandir, and visited the temple the same day (BBS). Today the area is part of Gelephu Mindfulness City, alongside Buddhist projects such as the 108 Jangchub Chortens and the planned Druk Ugyen Samye Ling monastery.
Architecture: A Nagara-Style Temple
Kuensel describes the mandir as a classical Nagara-style structure. Nagara is the temple style of northern India. Its main features are:
- Garbhagriha — the inner sanctum that holds the main image of the deity. Worshippers come to its door for darshan (viewing).
- Mandapa — a hall in front of or around the sanctum where devotees gather.
- Shikhara — the tower rising directly above the sanctum, built up from many smaller spire forms and topped by a broad disc and a kalash (pot-shaped finial).
Published photographs of the Gelephu mandir show these elements clearly. An open pillared hall with carved railings stands on a raised plinth, reached by steps at the front. The flat roof has a parapet and small domed kiosks at the corners. The tower rises from the centre of the roof in tiers, ringed with small spires and with rows of arched niches holding white deity figures. A dome, rings, a kalash and a saffron flag crown the tower. Before gilding, the temple was finished in pink stone.
One Bhutan travel guide, Heavenly Bhutan, describes it as a replica of the Shivalaya temple in Samtse. We have not been able to confirm this from an official source.
The mandir as consecrated in 2018, shown in our 3D model with its original pink stone finish. Compare with the gilded version at the top of this page.
The Golden Mandir Project
What is being gilded
According to Kuensel, the project covers the spire (shikhara), the outer structures and the sacred elements, inside and out. The Prime Minister's Office announced the Gold Gilding Project on 11 September 2026, on His Majesty's command. The total cost and the amount of gold needed have not been published. Work had begun by early September, and visitor access is restricted until 31 October while the structural and gilding work continues.
Donations so far
The donation drive opened on 7 September 2026. BBS reported more than Nu 1.6 million on the first day. By 6 October, Kuensel reported:
| Measure | Total |
|---|---|
| Cash | Nu 7,098,982.48 |
| Gold | 6.925 grams |
| Contributors | 1,771 (1,767 Bhutanese, 4 international) |
| International gifts included | USD 101 and INR 100 |
How to contribute
Contributions are open to individuals, organisations, institutions and well-wishers until 31 October 2026. All funds go into one dedicated account held with Bank of Bhutan. According to Kuensel:
- In Bhutan: scan the Bank of Bhutan mBoB QR code for the Golden Mandir GMC Fund Mobilisation Account with any participating mobile banking app.
- From abroad: pay by Visa or Mastercard through the BOB Card Zone gateway on the official portal, goldenmandir.bt.
- In person: collection points at the GPPF Ground at Changlimithang in Thimphu and in Gelephu. Official receipts are issued only for in-person contributions.
Donations to the project are tax-deductible under Bhutan's Income Tax Act 2025, up to the lower of the amount given or 5% of the donor's adjusted income, according to a 25 September 2026 letter from the Department of Revenue and Customs. The project focal person is Gelephu Gup Prem Prasad Katel.
Only use the official portal or the collection points above. We do not handle donations and are not affiliated with the project.
The Golden Mandir and Gelephu Mindfulness City
GMC is planned as a special administrative region in southern Bhutan, and spiritual sites are a big part of its design. The Golden Mandir gives the city a major Hindu landmark next to its Buddhist projects:
- Project 108 — 108 Jangchub Chortens raised in a single day on 1 November 2026, the same day as the mandir's completion celebration. Our 3D chorten model shows how one is built.
- Druk Ugyen Samye Ling — a Samye-inspired monastery with 1,008 chortens, targeted for 2029.
- Gelephu International Airport — the new international airport under construction for the city.
Speaking to BBS on 14 October, a Department of Tourism official credited interest in GMC and Project 108 for part of Bhutan's recent rise in visitors. Our Bhutan tourism statistics page has the latest figures.
Visiting the Golden Mandir
Where it is
The mandir is in Gelephu, Sarpang district, in south-central Bhutan near the border with Assam. It stands by the Shetikhari river, close to the town. See our Gelephu travel guide for the wider area.
Access in October and November 2026
- Until 31 October: access is restricted during the gilding work.
- Around 1 November: BBS reports heavy restrictions for the Project 108 event. No travel from Gelephu toward Thimphu on 30 and 31 October, private vehicles barred from Gelephu town from 1 to 4 November, and the Gelephu border gate closed on 1 November. Entry to the event is limited to invited guests, Bhutanese nationals and friends of the Bhutan-India Friendship Association.
- After the event: plan a visit from mid-November onward, once normal access resumes. Check with your tour operator for the latest arrangements.
Getting there
Gelephu is reached by road from Thimphu through Tsirang, or from India through the Gelephu border crossing with Assam. International visitors need a Bhutan visa and pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for each night in the country. See our visa guide and SDF guide. Gelephu is one of the border towns covered by the 24-hour SDF waiver for short visits; our Phuentsholing waiver guide explains how the waiver works.
Etiquette
General customs at Hindu temples apply: remove shoes before entering the hall, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and walk around the shrine clockwise. Ask before taking photographs of the sanctum or of people at prayer. Follow any signs or instructions from temple staff, which take precedence over general guidance.
When to go
Gelephu sits in the warm southern foothills. The cooler, drier months from November to February are the most comfortable for sightseeing. The Bolbam festival during the Hindu month of Shravan (usually July–August) is the temple's busiest time, during monsoon season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Golden Mandir in Bhutan?
It is the Shivalaya Yagyaswar Mahadev Mandir in Gelephu, a Shiva temple gifted by His Majesty The King and consecrated in 2018. On His Majesty's command it is being gilded inside and out to become the Golden Mandir of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
When will the Golden Mandir be completed?
Completion is set to be celebrated on 1 November 2026, the same day as the Project 108 chorten event in Gelephu. Access is restricted until 31 October while the work continues.
How can I donate to the Golden Mandir?
Through the official portal at goldenmandir.bt (Visa or Mastercard from abroad), the Bank of Bhutan mBoB QR code in Bhutan, or in person in Thimphu and Gelephu. The deadline is 31 October 2026. Donations are tax-deductible in Bhutan within set limits.
Can tourists visit the Golden Mandir?
The temple is a working place of worship. Visitors should plan for after the 1 November 2026 celebration, follow temple etiquette, and check current access with their tour operator. International visitors need a visa and pay the SDF.
Is there a Hindu temple in Bhutan?
Yes. Bhutan has a Hindu community, mainly in the south, and temples in towns including Gelephu and Samtse. Gelephu's Shivalaya Mandir was gifted by His Majesty The King in 2018.
Sources
- BBS — "Shivalaya Mandir in Gelephu set for golden transformation," 8 September 2026. Royal prayer and command, scope of gilding, first-day donations, GMC Governor's remarks.
- Kuensel via Asia News Network — "Bhutanese people offer millions to turn Gelephu's Shiva temple into Golden Mandir," October 2026. Location, Nagara style, history, donation totals to 6 October, channels, tax treatment, access and dates.
- UNI — report on the Prime Minister's Office appeal, 12 September 2026. Consecration date and scope of the Gold Gilding Project.
- BBS — report on the Shetikhari Moenlam ground, 26 December 2018. Construction dates of the mandir.
- BBS — Gelephu traffic arrangements for the 108 Stupas event, October 2026.
- Heavenly Bhutan — travel guide entry for the Gelephu Hindu Mandir.
- Golden Mandir — GMC — official donation portal.
- 3D model and images: Best of Bhutan, built from published photographs.
Planning a trip to southern Bhutan around Gelephu's new landmarks? Talk to us — we can build an itinerary around the Golden Mandir, the Project 108 chortens and the forests of Sarpang.