Why etiquette matters here
Sacred sites in Bhutan are not heritage attractions that happen to have religious content. They are places of daily worship, run by monks, caretakers and local communities. A lhakhang (temple) may be a village’s centre of religious life, and a dzong is an active monastery and government office. The guidance below reflects widely observed practice. Rules vary between sites, days and caretakers, and your guide or the monk in charge has the final say.
This article concentrates on conduct. For the history and layout of the buildings themselves, see our pieces on Bhutan dzongs and on pilgrimage routes in the country.
What to wear
Bhutan has a national dress, the gho for men and the kira for women, and many Bhutanese wear it to temples, offices and festivals. Visitors are not expected to wear it, but are expected to dress with respect.
- Cover shoulders, upper arms and knees. Long trousers or skirts are the safe choice, and loose clothing is more comfortable on stairs and in cold rooms.
- Avoid tight, transparent or sleeveless clothing, and avoid shorts.
- Hats, caps and sunglasses are taken off before entering a temple or dzong courtyard.
- Plain, neutral clothing is more appropriate than clothing with slogans or religious imagery used decoratively.
- Shoes are removed at temple room doors, and socks are practical on cold stone floors.
General principles are discussed in the article on temple dress code, and local variation exists. Some places are stricter than others, particularly dzongs where officials work.
Moving through a temple
- Enter calmly. Lower your voice, silence your phone, and avoid loud conversation.
- Do not step on the threshold. In many Himalayan temples, people step over a raised threshold rather than on it. Watch what others do.
- Walk clockwise. Around stupas (chortens), prayer wheels and the temple itself, circumambulation goes clockwise, keeping the sacred object on your right. The reasoning is described in the article on circumambulation practice.
- Do not touch statues, paintings, texts, offerings or the robes of monks. Women in particular should not touch monks, and the same courtesy applies to everyone.
- Keep your feet tidy. Avoid pointing your feet at altars or images when sitting. Sitting with your legs tucked or crossed is usual.
- Keep your head lower than sacred objects where practical, and avoid standing over them.
- Leave offerings only if you know the custom. Small money offerings are made at some altars. Do not move or take offerings, and ask your guide before leaving anything.
More on temple entry customs can be read elsewhere on this site, and the principles broadly overlap with other Buddhist countries.
Photography
Rules on photography are set by each site, and they can differ from room to room.
- Photographing inside temple shrine rooms is commonly prohibited, and this includes statues and murals. Signs may not always be present, so ask first.
- Dzong courtyards and exteriors are often allowed, but some areas, such as government offices, are not.
- Do not photograph monks or villagers at prayer without asking, and avoid flash.
- Drone use is regulated in Bhutan and often needs permission. Do not assume you can fly one.
- At festivals, organisers may restrict where you can stand and photograph. See the guidance in the piece on temple photography etiquette.
If a request is refused, accept it politely. Sacred objects are treated as presences, not artworks.
Behaviour with monks and local people
Greet monks politely, and avoid initiating physical contact. Address questions through your guide if you are unsure. Follow your guide’s lead on how to greet and address them. When people spin prayer wheels or recite prayers, keep a respectful distance. Visitors who are not Buddhists are welcome at most public temples but should observe rather than imitate rituals they do not understand, a point explored in the article on non-Buddhist visitors.
Meditation and prayer flags
Prayer flags and wheels are part of the Bhutanese landscape. Do not step over flags lying on the ground, burn or discard them, or touch those hung at sacred places. Spin prayer wheels clockwise with your right hand. Writing on rocks, walls or chortens is not appropriate.
Rules you must check
The guidance above is general. Some practical rules are set by authority, and they change.
- Entry times, ticket requirements and closure days for dzongs and temples.
- Mandatory guides and the rules on where tourists may go.
- Visa and fee arrangements for visiting Bhutan.
- Local regulations during festivals or religious observances.
Check current information from the Tourism Council of Bhutan and your own government’s travel advice. When in doubt, ask your guide or a caretaker.
A few final habits
Carry a small bag of layers, a scarf, and a bottle of water. Allow time. Rushing from temple to temple makes it harder to observe the courtesy that pilgrims themselves show. If you make a mistake, apologise quietly and carry on. Bhutanese hosts are usually forgiving of sincere visitors, and the attitude of respect matters more than perfect form.