Bhutan 09: Dzong is Synonymous with Bhutan

Visiting dzong in Bhutan is unavoidable; dzongs are everywhere in Bhutan. After days of visiting ‘dzongs’, more dzongs are awaiting us when we arrived in Paro. Some felt ‘overdosed’ by them. For me, each dzong has its own character and its own story to tell.

Dzongs are buildings that function as both monasteries and fortresses. Traditionally, they have been the centres of both politics and religion and are host to many of the Tsechu festivals. (Tsechu – an annual festival comprising of dances in honour of Guru Rinpoche. The dances are performed by monks as well as lay people.)

Many of the interiors are not open to visitors, even if they are, generally no photographs are allowed.

Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong)
Rinpung Dzong is known as ‘Fortress on a heap of jewels’.

One of Bhutan’s strongest and most important fortresses, it was used on numerous occasions to fend the Paro Valley from invasions by Tibet.

The dzong was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly and now houses a monastic school and district government offices.

Kyichu Lhakhang (Temple)
One of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Ta Dzong
Ta Dzong, located further up the hill slope behind Rinpung Dzong, was once a watchtower. Since 1967, it became the National Museum of Bhutan, housing exhibits of thangkas, and other works of religion art, farming equipments, stamps, jewellery, traditional costumes and many others.