Digitize Dratshang

By 2030, we aim for a fully documented, secure, and accessible digital archive of Bhutan’s sacred heritage

For centuries, Bhutan’s sacred texts and ritual records were carefully preserved on handmade paper and palm leaves, later held in paper archives without a complete digital record.

With the blessings of His Majesty the King and His Holiness the Je Khenpo, we began Bhutan’s first systematic digitization of monastic heritage. Over the past three years, we have successfully piloted the Digitize Dratshang initiative, digitally documenting over 6,000 sacred artifacts across six districts in Bhutan.

Monastic custodians are at the forefront of this effort and carry the responsibility forward, documenting sacred collections within the temples they care for, even in remote and high-altitude regions. These treasures are never removed from their spiritual homes; they are recorded with great reverence, and care.

The work we do goes beyond preservation of physical items. It protects a living tradition—ensuring that Bhutan’s spiritual heritage endures not only as history, but as a sacred inheritance still alive in daily life.

We are creating a comprehensive national database, including high-resolution images, provenance records, and historical details of every statue, thangka, manuscript, and painting. By securely recording these priceless treasures, we create a critical reference inventory in the event of fire, floods, theft, or deterioration.