History of Trongsa Dzong
Trongsa Dzong, built-in 1648, was the seat that took over the central and eastern Bhutan and today, this massive building is one of the most famous attractions in the Trongsa District. In the past, both the first and the second King of Bhutan ruled the kingdom from this ancient site and also in Trongsa Dzong, the four Bhutan Kings were invested to be Trongsa Penlopes (governor) before ascending to the throne. The Dzong situated at the highly strategic position that there is only one route connects between the east and the west; hence, the Trongsa Penlop could effectively take over the whole of the central and eastern regions of the country from there.
Legend had it that in 1543, Lam Ngagi Wangchuck, the founder of Trongsa Dzong, mediated at the Yueli’s village in Trongsa and during that time, he saw a lighted butter lamp below the ridge at the present Goenkhang that is home to the guardian deities Palden Lhamo and Yeshy Goenpo. After this event, he believed that it was a sacred omen, then he built the meditation quarters. When he mediated in the new quarter, amazingly, the deity Palden Lhamo appeared and told him about his profession that this place would be important spreading the teachings of Buddha. After this uncanniness, Lam Ngagi Wangchuk built a small temple and called it Mondrupley. Gradually, his disciples constructed many smaller meditation centers close to Mondrupley temple, then it soon became a smaller village and people named the new village as Trong-sar. Later, the pronunciation of this village changed to Trongsa.
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel couldn’t fulfill his demand to visit such a place that had been constructed his ancestor a hundred years before. Therefore, he desired the building of a Gonkhang, in 1647, which today, stands on the same spot where Lam Ngagi Wangchuck built his temple in 1543. Then, Zhabdrung appointed Minju Temps as the first Penlop of Trongsa and gradually, he began to expand the Dzong and in 1652, he constructed Ta Dzong (Watch Tower). After that, The eastern region was under the Drukpa rule and was took over from Trongsa Dzong.
Trongsa Dzong – Tourist Attraction in Trongsa District
The Dzong, today, serves as one of the most stunning Trongsa attractions. It is incredibly huge and spectacular with a sheer drop to the south that, sometimes, uncannily disappears into cloud and mist. Once there to indulge in the majestic vistas of the Dzong as well as the natural beauty surrounding, visitors are considered to dress formally. It means that your shoulders and your knees must be totally covered when you visit the site. Moreover, shoe off before entering a religious building is the must, just shoes not your socks. Finally, most places are not allowed to be taken shot, so I recommend you asking authorities beforehand.
As you might know, once entering inside temples (not the ground) you are not allowed to bring your cameras inside. So, the incredible beauty of the Bhutanese religious architecture just can be discovered once you get into Bhutan tour packages in real life.
