The Royal Bhutan Monastery is one of the most distinctive buildings in Bodh Gaya, constructed by the King of Bhutan as an offering to the Buddha. The architecture is unmistakably Bhutanese — thick whitewashed walls, ornate painted wooden window frames, and a roof of traditional Himalayan design. Inside, the walls carry elaborate clay carvings depicting scenes from the Buddha's life and episodes from Bhutanese Buddhist iconography.
The monastery is home to a community of Bhutanese monks and is particularly busy during the Tibetan New Year (Losar) in February, when pilgrims from across the Himalayan world converge on Bodh Gaya. Visitors are welcome outside of prayer times; a short time sitting inside the main shrine room — cool, dark, and fragrant with incense — is worth making time for.