A mandala painting workshop is a calm, creative break in your Bhutan journey. A mandala is a sacred circle that maps the universe in Buddhist teaching, and you will find them painted on temple ceilings across the country.
With a local artist, you learn what each ring and colour means, then paint your own small mandala to take home. It feels almost like meditation, and many guests say it is a highlight of their trip.
Your artist starts with the story: the four gates, the colours of the five directions and the lotus at the centre. Next, you draw the circle with a compass and ruler, and fill it with bright colours, one ring at a time.
Meanwhile, butter tea and snacks keep you going. At the end, your artist signs your mandala and explains the blessing it carries. In addition, you can ask to see a finished temple mandala nearby.
Like every part of your trip, this experience is private, with your own guide and driver. We plan it around your pace, the weather and local events, and your guide translates and explains the meaning behind everything you see, so you always feel welcome.
It pairs well with a temple visit on our Tiger’s Nest hike trip or our 7-day Bhutan itinerary. Ask us and we add it to your plan. You can also pick it on our curate your own trip page, and we will fit it into the right day. For more ideas, see all our Bhutan cultural activities.
For more on Buddhist art in Bhutan, see Bhutan’s official tourism site.
No. The artist sets up the pattern, and you focus on colour.
No. Monks make sand mandalas for special rituals; this workshop uses paint on paper.
Every activity can be added to any of our private tours. Tell us what you would like, and we fit it into the right day.
Curate your trip Ask us