The trongsa dzong, which was built in 1644, used to be the seat of power of the wangchuck dynasty before they became rulers of bhutan in 1907. Trongsa dzong, the largest dzong fortress in bhutan. Positioned prominently above the mangdechhu, stands the trongsa dzong with a. All four kings were invested as trongsa penlop governor prior to ascending to the throne. Trongsa dzong dzongs of bhutan central bhutan tours. There are 23 separate lhakhangs in the dzong and most of the existing fine decoration, sonam enlightened me, was designed during the rule of the first. The structure is strategically located on a steep slope. The dzong is a massive structure with many levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built. It was built in 1652by the 1st governor of trongsa, chogyal minjur tenpa. In 1541, he meditated at the village of yueli in trongsa, a few kilometers from the present dzong. It consists of a maze of courtyards, passageways and corridors and the complex contains as many as 25 temples. It is built on a strategic location overlooking the mangde chhu river. The construction was overseen by dzongpon geduen chophel. Taa dzong tower of trongsa trongsa district central.
Bhutanese dzong architecture reached its zenith in the 17th century under the leadership of ngawang namgyal, the 1st zhabdrung rinpoche. I wish i could come back and see it with all the masks and music. All these icons are responsible in the history of bhutan, especially in bringing order to the countrys endless civil wars. This imposing structure, witness to various significant events which has shaped bhutanese history, has a rich legacy left behind by religious and political. Trongsa dzong, most strategic dzong built by erstwhile rulers. Built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the mangde river, a temple was first established at the location in 1543 by the drukpa lama, ngagi wangchuk son of ngawang chhojey. Built by the first governor of trongsa in 1652, the watchtower served to protect the region from internal rebellion, controlling the whole of the central and eastern regions of the nation. Browse expedias selection of 10 hotels and places to stay closest to trongsa dzong.
Zhabdrung managed to unify most of western bhutan by mid17 th century but the central, eastern and southern parts still remained so he deputized dronyer druk namgyel to. Trongsa dzong this impregnable fortress of bhutan is filled architecturally beautiful temples, corridors, live paintings representing bhutanese tradition in every sense. A fiveday festival known as the trongsa tsechu is held in the northern courtyard during december or january. Built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the mangde river, a temple was first established at the location in 1543 by the drukpa lama, nagi wangchuk son of ngawang chhojey. This boarding school mainly caters to the young schoolgoing children of the surrounding villages. The daga dzong used to be the office of the daga penlop who held the rank of cabinet minister under the desi temporal ruler system of government introduced by the zhabdrung. Perched upon verdant hills, the tower of trongsa museum offers five floors of buddhist history and artifacts, as well as panoramic views of the valley below.
Traditionally, the king of bhutan first becomes the trongsa penlop governor before being named the crown prince and eventually the king. Trongsa dzong is the largest dzong fortress in bhutan, located in trongsa formerly tongsa in. Audit report on audit of accounts and operations of thetdrp. Save on popular hotels near trongsa dzong, trongsa. Discover hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in trongsa, bhutan from trongsa dzong to chendebji chorten. Trongsa dzong is a drukpa kagyu monasteryfortress in central bhutan. Taa dzong was once a watchtower which guarded the trongsa dzong from the internal rebellion. Trongsa ps is located on a slope overlooking the trongsa dzong, at a distance of about 1km uphill from the main town and is a day school for preprimary to grade 6 students. It is also known for its printery, which produced religious texts in the traditional. Known to be the symbol of trongsas history, the museum is dedicated to the wangchuck dynasty. The size of the original dzong is unknown, but history books in bhutan state that the fourth desi, tenzin rabgay 16801694, extended it and also added another twostoried tower. The first construction on the site was carried out by ngagi wangchuck 151754, the greatgrandfather of zhabdrung ngawang namgyal. Trongsa dzong, meaning the dzong on the tip of a dungkhar conch of the neverchanging country of druk and the everlasting dharma was built in 1647 during the time of trongsa penlop chogyal minjur tenpa.
Trongsa provides a strategic central location to control bhutan and for centuries it was the seat of the wangchuck dynasty of penlops governors who effectively ruled over much of. An important printing house is also located at the dzong, where printing of religious texts is done by traditional woodblock printing. The five floors of displays tell the history of the monarchy through such varied treasures as the 500yearold jacket of ngagi wangchuk, the second kings saddle and a copy of the famous raven crown. Inside, the building opens up on a number of different levels. Higher up there are excellent views across the mangde valley. Tower of trongsa royal heritage museum trongsa, bhutan. This watchtower ta dzong overlooking the dzong now houses an excellent museum. Climb up the path to visit ta dzong, which now houses a shrine dedicated to the epic hero, king gesar of ling. In trongsa by far the most impressive place to visit is trongsa dzong. Trongsa dzong like almost all towns in the kingdom, this dzong architecture dominates the entire trongsa horizon dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Trongsa news newspapers books scholar jstor december 2019 learn. Korean book national research institute of cultural heritage 26nos.
Trongsa dzong had been the seats of the trongsa poenlops who have governed the eastern region for over three hundred years. N27 4 12 e89 52 47 dzong in bhutan is a complex of fortified building which served as a principal seat of buddhist school. A rich history nestled on a hill, overlooking the mangdechu river, the trongsa dzong is a testimony of bhutans architectural heritage, political history, rich traditions and cultures. Trongsa travel guide attraction, things to do, places to. Trongsa dzong is situated overlooking the mangdechhu river. Both the first and second kings of bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. Trongsa places to visit in trongsa bhutanitis travels. Wangdi is important in the history of bhutan because in the early days it was the site of the countrys second capital. The zhabdrung relied on visions and omens to site each of the dzongs.
Trongsa dzong, the largest dzong at a striking location, is an important administrative building, providing the headquarters of the government of trongsa district. Jan 30, 2016 bhutan trongsa dzong journey organized by. As of date the ta dzong of trongsa is the most fascinating museum of the nation. The hotel and restaurant balconies offer a spectacular view of deep valleys, trongsa dzong, and emerald mountains.
Find cheap deals and discount rates among them that best fit your budget. Due to the dzongs highly strategic position, on the only connecting route between east and west, the trongsa penlop was able to control effectively the whole of the central and eastern regions of the country from here. A rich history restored austria in bhutan completely restored to its former glory in a major restoration and renovation project begun in 1999, the trongsa dzong was sanctified with the sacred consecration rabney ceremony on october 28, 2004 corresponding to the 15th day of the ninth month of the wood monkey year. A visit to this former watchtower provides visitors with an insight into the significance of trongsa in bhutans history. Traditionally the king of bhutan first becomes the trongsa penlop governor before being named crown prince and eventually king. The dzongs strategic location gave it great power over this part of the country. Trongsa dzong was founded by yingzin ngagi wangchuk, a descendant of ngawang chogyal and a revered follower of kuenkhen pema karpo. It was at that time that people of neighbouring ngatshang and themnagbi villages migrated, fearing the new ruler, to pema ked padma bkod a legendary hidden land sbas yul in southeast tibet. Trongsa dzong was first built in 1647, and it was from this dzong fortress that the first two bhutanese kings ruled the country. Trongsa dzong, meaning the dzong on the tip of a dungkhar conch of the neverchanging country of druk and the everlasting dharma was built in 1647. The most popular and prominent one is the incredible ta dzong museum and tower. Trongsa, previously tongsa is a thromde or town, and the capital of trongsa district in central.
The dzong was built in its current form in the 17th century. Exhibits vary a bit, but generally focus on festivals and the deities as well as bhutanese. The first temple was built in 1543 by the drukpa kagyu lama, ngagi wangchuk, who was the greatgrandfather of shabdrung ngawang namgyel, the person who unified bhutan. The first two hereditary kings ruled from this dzong, and tradition still dictates that the crown prince serve as trongsa penlop before acceding to the throne. Built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the mangde river, a temple was first established at the location in 1543 by the drukpa lama, ngagi wangchuk son. In the history, this was the very place from where the leaders attempted the unifying of the country because it was centrally located in the country. Dancing buddhist monks in trongsa dzong, bhutan youtube. The trongsa monk body migrates between winter and summer residences of trongsa and bumthang respectively, just as the main dratshang or the central monk body does between thimphu and punakha. Tongsa dzong trongsa 2020 all you need to know before you. Spotlight on the district series trongsa dzongkhag bhutan. Wifi and parking are free, and this resort also features a restaurant. Cool and unusual things to do in trongsa atlas obscura. Trongsa dzong is a powerfully built fortress and is exemplary of dzong architecture.
It was trongsa poenlop jigme namgyel who finally emerged as the most powerful national leader in the country. Even if youre visiting trongsa as a break spot between your trip from thimphu to jakar, still there are some places which you should visit here. Historical background of lingzhi dzong the posting of my photos of the beautiful and remote linzhi dzong aroused lot of interest among my readers, including myself. So i did a little research into its historical background and came up with the following. Tongsa dzong trongsa 2020 all you need to know before. Go there with a good guide and he will tell you interesting anecdotes. Trongsa is mostly visited for its historical importance and its magnificently built dzong. The dzong is one of the largest in bhutan and is a fine example of bhutanese architecture. Tshangkha lss is located 25 kms before reaching trongsa. A stop at the ta dzong museum in trongsa is not only an excellent way to break up a very long drive from punakha to bumthang, but a very well done museum with a fine little lunch stop. The establishment of the trongsa dzong greatly helped in this endeavor.
Its official name is chhoekhor raptentse dzong, and it is also known by its short name of choetse dzong. Trongsa dzong is the largest dzong fortress in bhutan, located in trongsa formerly tongsa in trongsa district, in the centre of the country. The watchtower of trongsa has been converted into a museum dedicated to the wangchuck dynasty and is a good place to learn about the history of the kingdom. The rich history of trongsa dzong goes back from the 16tth century when a holy man built a temple on the site after discovering a selfmanifesting hoofprints of a horse belonging to bhutans protective deity palden lhamo. Book your tickets online for tongsa dzong, trongsa. Chokhor raptentse dzong at trongsa which was built in 1644, used to be the seat of power of the.
Trongsa dzong was founded by yingzin ngagi wangchuk, a descendant of ngawang chogyal and. It also showcases jigme wangchucks prayer book and silver box, the 3rd. Both the first and second king ruled the country from this ancient seat. Environed by deep valleys, trongsa boasts a prominent museum, which was made out of trongsas watchtower. The whole eastern region was brought under the drukpa rule and was governed from trongsa dzong. It was from here that the attempts to consolidate trongsa travel guide, things to do, tips. Visit the tower of trongsa museum on your trip to trongsa or. The raven crown, designed by lam jangchub tsendrue is featured in the third gallery. Its rich history is traced to the founding of a temple in the area by the drukpa lama, ngagi. Trongsa which means new villageforms the central hub of the nation. Tadzong, the tower of trongsa project documentation 1no. The largest and, arguably, most scenic fortress in bhutan. Jan 12, 2012 while visiting dzong in trongsa i had a chance to see young monks preparing their performace for next festival.
While visiting dzong in trongsa i had a chance to see young monks preparing their performace for next festival. The dzong was severely damaged in the 1897 earthquake, and repairs were carried out by the penlop of trongsa, jigme namgyal, father of bhutans first king. Ta dzong museum, trongsa ticket price timings address. The wangdue phodrang dzong wangdi was founded by the zhabdrung in 1638 atop a high ridge between the punak tsang chhu and the dang chhu, clearly chosen for its commanding view of the valleys below.
Ta dzong with its living hermits is the only structure reconstructed to represent wangchuck dynasty. Trongsa dzong is closely connected to the royal family. This one will surely take you back and will force to relive certain historic moments. Dzong architecture project gutenberg selfpublishing. The forces of trongsa penlop defeated the tongfu gyalpo and surprisingly took control of the zhongar dzong and other kingdoms. It was worn by the 1st king of bhutan, gongsar ugyen wangchuck.
1273 111 374 278 1102 834 316 248 279 1249 1428 95 268 132 330 747 1377 149 1128 911 530 1341 1225 1537 276 957 339 1452 153 67 1159 1014 999 186 1481 973 85 340 392 349 842 67 30 1459 497