Tashichho Dzong is one of the most popular and biggest landmarks in Thimphu, Bhutan. The Dzong is located 2kms away from the main town. Tashichho Dzong is the main secretariat building housing the offices of the King and the Throne Room. The central monastic body and some government ministries are also located in the Dzong. It is located close to Thimphu town, next to the banks of the Wang Chhu River. Tashichho Dzong is an impressively large structure, surrounded by well-kept lawns and beautiful gardens.
History Tashichoedzong, meaning the fortress of "auspicious doctrine" has traditionally been the seat of the Dharma Raja and summer capital of the country. Built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the massive structure was rebuilt in its present form in 1965 by the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
The original dzong was built way back in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa. In 1641 Zhabdrung acquired the dzong and renamed it Tashichhodzong, the fortress of the glorious religion. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck had it completely renovated and enlarged after he moved the capital to Thimphu.
About the Dzong and its architecture Presently, the Dzong houses the throne room and offices of the king, the secretariat and the ministries of home affairs and finance, along with other government departments. The main structure of the Tashichoe Dzong is two-storied with four three-storied towers at each corner, topped by triple-tiered golden roofs. In the center of the building is a large central tower called utse.
It is also the headquarters for central monastic body of Bhutan. The outer structure of the Dzong is two storeys high with three storey towers at the four corners projecting out over the walls. The outer walls are built with trimmed and fitted granite blocks. The courtyard here is tiled with rectangular stone slabs, unlike other dzongs that uses irregular shaped stones as paving.
Tashichho Dzong has two main entrances; while one leads to the administrative section, the other leads to the monasic quarter where the dances of the annual tsechu festival are performed. An excellent example of the traditional cantilever bridge can be seen just below the Dzong. West of the dzong is the small tower of Ney Khan Lhakhang, which houses a statue of Sakyamuni flanked by the prospective deity Gyenden Jagpa Melen and Dorje Daktshen, the female guardian deity of Phajoding.
South Asia is home to solid one-third of the world’s population. The region is home to the highest and the second highest mountain peaks of the world Everest and K2. Housing marvels such as the Taj Mahal, Ajanta, Sigiriya, Timpu, and Taxila, the heritage and cultures of the region date back thousands of years.
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