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THIMPHU
- The capital of Bhutan,lies at an elevation of 2,300 meters in a
valley traversed by the River Wang -Chu.
Tashichho Dzong , the main secretariat
building, houses the throne room of
the King and is the summer residence of
central monk body.
Although no one expects from a capital City ,Thimpu is
still a fitting and lively place. Home
to civil servants ,expatriates and the monk body,
Thimpu maintains a strong national character in
its architectural style.
Memorial
Chorten : This
chorten was built in 1974 in the memory of
the third king , Jigme Dorji Wangchuck , who
passed away in 1972.The paintings and images inside
the monument provide a rare insight
into Buddhist philosophy.
Tashichho Dzong :
The Dzong which was initially
built in the 17th century , was rebuilt in early 1960s by the third
King, Jimge Dorji Wangchuk. Tashichho Dzong houses the main
secretariat building and the central monk
body. It is open to visitors during Thimphu
festival and when the monk body moves to
warmer Punakha for the winter months.
Simthoka
Dzong :
The oldest Dzong in the country stands on a
lofty ridge at the end of Thimphu valley. It
was built in 1627 and now houses the School for Buddhist Studies.
Indigenious
Hospital :
In equal emphasis is given to given to both
alopathy and traditional medicines. The rich
herbal medicines abunjdant in Kingdom is prepared here.
The hospital also imparts the art
of herbal medicine to the would be practitoners.
National
Lbrary :
The history of Bhutan
lies imprinted in archaic texts which are preserved
at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and
ancient texts the library also has
modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
Painting
School :
Located above the library
, this school teaches the techniques
of traditional painting. On a visit one can
actually see students at work, producing intricate designs on cloth.
PHUENTSHOLING
- We
cross the border and enter Bhutan " Dragon's Kingdom " .
We arrive in Phuntsholing, a commercial and industrial center as well
as the gateway overland to Bhutan. Since earliest times , visitors
to Bhutan have been struck by strongly egalitarian nature of the society.
Unlike the neighbors Tibet and India , Bhutan has never had a rigid
class system and rank or birth does not affect social and educational
opportunities. Bhutan is well known for its stamps , and the best
place to buy them is in Phuntsholing where the Philatelic Office of
Bhutan has its headquarters.
PUNAKHA
- Blessed with temperate climate and fed by Pho-chu
(male) and Mo-chu (female)
rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley
in the country. Until 1955, Punakha
served
as the capital and is even today the winter
seat of the Je Khenpo (chief abbot) and
the central monk body. The Dzong was built
at the junction of the two rivers
in the 17th century by ShabdrungNgawang
Namgyal.
PARO
- This beautiful
valley, where nature and man conjured to create their dearest image,
is home to some of Bhutan's oldest temples & monasteries - as
well as its only airport. Mount. Jhomolhari (7300 meters) reigns in
white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial waters
plunge through deep gorges to form the pa-chu (Paro river). Paro is
one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom, producing a bulk of
the famous red rice from its terraced fields.
Drugyel
Dzong :
The Dzong was built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders, led by Mongolian
warlord, Gushri Khan in 1644. Strategically built over the only passage
into Paro valley, the dzong helped to repel numerous invasions all
through the course of Bhutanese history. It so impressed early visitors
that in 1914 the Dzong featured on the cover of the National Geographic
Magazine. Later used as an administrative building the Dzong was gutted
by an accidental fire in 1951. The ruins, as it stands today, still
attract tourists. On a clear day one can see the commanding view of
Mt. Jhomolhari from the village nestle below the Dzong.
Taktsang
Monastery :
Literally meaning the Tiger's nest, this temple
clings precariously to a cliff 800 meters above Paro valley. Legend
has it that the great Guru Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the
back of a tigress. The temple is built around the cave in which guru
Padmasambhava meditated in the eight century. It remains a most sacred
temple for the local people who gather here on auspicious days to
offer butter lamps. The trek uphill to a café opposite the monastery
is breathtaking, thrilling and mystical.
Rinpung
Dzong :
Meaning the "fortress on a heap of jewels",
it was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 2646. The approach to
the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called the Nemi
Zam. A walk through the bridge to the Dzong, over a stone inlaid path,
offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well
as life around it. The Dzong now houses the Paro Monastic school and
the office of the Civil Administration. It is also the venue
of the Paro Tshechu (festival), held once a year in spring.
Ta
- Dzong :
Looking down upon the Rinpung Dzong, the Ta
Dzong, as the name implies, was built in 1651 as a watch tower. Unlike
the rectangular shape of dzongs, the Ta dzong is round, more like
parts of an European castle. Since 1967 the Dzong was re-established
as the national Museum with fascinating collections of art, relics
and religious thangkha paintings.
Farm
House :
The beauty of Paro valley is embellished by
cluster of quaint farm houses. Bhutanese farm houses are very colourful
and traditionally built without the use of a single nail. All houses
follow the same architectural design. The house looks very big from
outside but is quite simple inside. These are normally of 3 storied.
The ground floor is always used for cattle while the attic is used
to store hay. The families live in the middle floor. The best room
in the house is always kept for the family chapel. A visit to a farm
house is very interesting and offers a good glimpse into the lifestyle
of a farmer.
TONGSA
- Tongsa
form the central hub of the nation and is historically the place from
where attempts at unifying the country were launched. The landscape
around Tongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end, the Dzong seems
to tease you, wondering if you will ever reach there.
Tongsa
Dzong :
Built in 1648, it is ancestral home of the Royal
family. Both the first and second Kings ruled the country from this
ancient seat. All four kings held the post of Tongsa Penlop (honorary
government) prior to being crowned King. The Dzong is a massive structure
with many levels which slope down the contours of the hill on which
it perches. Because of its highly strategic position as the only connecting
route between east and west the Tongsa Penlop was able to control
the whole of the eastern region effectively for centuries.
BUMTHANG
- To the east of Tongsa lies Bumthang
valley, at the altitude of 2,600 meters. This valley is the religious
heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples.
Here tales of Guru Padmasambava and his re-incarnates, known as lingpas,
still linger in most nooks and corners, that have now become sacred
ground.
Jambey
Lhakhang :
This Monstery was built in 7th century by Tibetan
King, Songsten Gembo, believed to be the reincarnation of the Budha
of compassion. It is one of the 108 monasteries built by him to subdue
evil spirits in the Himalayan region.
Kurje
Lhakhang :
Located above Jambey Lhakhang, the Kurjey
Lhakhang consists of three temples. The one on the right was built
in 1652 on the rock face where Guru meditated in the 8th century.
Second temple is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with
the imprint of the Guru's body and is therefore considered the most
holy. The cave is not visible as it is concealed by a large statue
of the Guru. The third temple was recently built by the present Royal
Queen Mother. These three temples are surrounded by a 108 chortens
(stupa) wall, symbolic of each joint of the human body.
Tamsing
Lhakhang :
Located opposite Kurje lhakhang on other side of the river, this temple
was founded in 1501 by Teerton Pema Lingpa, the reincarnation of Guru
Padmasambava. The monastery has very interesting religious painting
like 1,000 Buddhas and 21 Taras (female form of Buddhisatwa). The
temple was restored at the end of 19th century.
Jakar
Dzong :
Founded by the great grand father of Shabdrung , the Dzong was initally
built as a monastery in 1549. It was upgraded after the Shabdrung
had firmly established his power in 1646. The Dzong is now used as
the administration center for Bumthang valley.
TASHIGANG
- In
the far east of Bhutan, on the bank of the Gamri River, lies Tashigang,
the country's largest district. Tashigang Dzong stands astride a hill
slope below the main street. The Dzong, built in the mid 17th century
serves as the administrative seat for the district, as well as the
home of the monk body.Tashigang, once the bustling center of trade
with Tibet, is today the junction of the east west highway, with roads
connecting it to Samdrup Jongkhar and then to the Indian state of
Assam.
WANGDIPHODRANG
- To
the south of Punakha, located at the altitude of 1,350 meters, is
the Wangdi Dzong, built again in the 17th century by the Shabdrung.
The Dzong stands at the confluence of Punakha chu and the Tang-chu
river. The higher reaches of the valley provides rich pasture land
for cattle. Phubjikha valley in Wangdiphodrang is the winter habitat
for the rare Black Necked Cranes. The district is also known for its
fine bamboo work and its slate carvings.
MONGAR
- Mongar
is the site of one of Bhutan's newest Dzong, built in the 1930s. Yet
the dzong is built in the same method and traditions of all the other
Dzongs. No drawings and nails have been used. A visit to the dzong
gives visitors an impression of how traditional Bhutanese architecture
has continued to thrive through the centuries.
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© 2003 Druk Expeditions 
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