The dzongpon administrator operating from this dzong had control over the agricultural land that stretched on the south bank of the tsongpo river from chowo ri to rawame. Embedded inside is a life frozen in time, a wealth of history that can be still. It also has a hydro power plant on the kuri chhu river. Explore mongar dzongkhag holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. If you wish you can choose exactly which places this guide should cover. In order to spread the drukpa rule over sharchog khorlo tisb gyed the eight regions of eastern bhutan, he directed the trongsa penlop, chhogyal minjur tempa, to subdue the.
Although built in the 1930s and one of bhutans newest dzongs, it is constructed in the same way as all earlier dzongs, without plans or nails. Discover mongar dzong, mongar, bhutan with the help of your friends. Jakar dzong was originally built as a monastery in 1549 and was once the seat of the first king of bhutan. In order to spread the drukpa rule over sharchog khorlo tisb gyed the eight regions of eastern bhutan, he directed the trongsa penlop, chhogyal minjur tempa, to subdue the local chieftains and build a dzong at the present site. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Semtokha dzong was destroyed in 1634 during the bhutantibet war. Mongar dzongkhags under his authority, whereas jigme. The mongar dzong was established in 1930 to replace the original shongar dzong, although the original utse central tower dates from an earlier age. Amanderson, creative commons the palace of great bliss or punthang dechen phodrang in bhutan is commonly known as punakha dzong from other parts of the world. Drukgyal dzong, paro, bhutan history, ruins holidify.
Shongar dzong, mongars original dzong, is in ruins, and the new dzong in mongar town is not as architecturally spectacular or historically significant as others in the region. Ruins of zhonggar dzong royal government of bhutan mongar. For context, this is about the fort and monastery called shekarshelkarxegar dzong in tibet, near tingri. And mongar, owing to its modern and marvelous dzong, follows this rule to a t. Places of interest in and around mongar mongar dzong it is site of one of bhutans newest dzong built in 1930s. Haa dzong located in the haa valley, the haa dzong was built in 1895 because a pressing need was felt to protect the adjoining border from tibetan invasions and after the appointment of the first haa drungpa, it became necessary to build an administrative center. Wangduephodrang dzong is the third oldest dzong in bhutan. Ancient ruin of drukgyel dzong unesco world heritage centre. You can also download these dates in pdf format using the link below. Mongar dzongkhag is 450 km east of the capital city, thimphu. The approach to this dzong is over a flagstonepaved path over the steep cliffs. Mongar bhutan mongar dzong places to visit in mongar. It has two entrances and the monk and administrative bodies share the same courtyard. Upon arrival in mongar, we will check into our hotel and have time to explore the town or visit the nearby mongar dzong before lunch at our hotel.
Mongar dzong book mongar dzong tour packages travelobhutan. Lhuntshi is 76 km three hours drive north of mongar. Part of mongar is also increasingly becoming popular as birding capital of the world. It is listed as a tentative site in bhutans tentative list for unesco inclusion. Top 5 bhutan dzongs updated for 2020 regent holidays. The ruin of this magnificent monument opposite the highway still imposes its presence even a few centuries after it was abandoned. Trashigang dzong was founded according to the prophecies of zhabdrung ngawang namgyal. It was built in 1629 by zhabdrung ngawang namgyal, who unified bhutan. The architect while surveying the land came across a white stone shaped like a bowl on a mound just above kurichhu. Explore bhutans central valleys, rich with ancient historical and sacred buddhist. While in the western world it is synonymous with fascism, being the centerpiece of the nazi flag, in ancient times it was used as a positive symbol representing well being and good fortune. The memory of the dzong is vividly preserved among people as the unfortunate event turning the dzong into a ruin occurred just before modernization took place in bhutan in the early 1960s. Karma phuntshos the history of bhutan is the first book to offer a comprehensive history of bhutan in english.
The mongols were a small nomadic tribe in the area of ergon2 and kolen naur. Sep 09, 2016 the powerful symbol of the swastika and its 12,000 year history the swastika is a symbol that has been used for at least 12,000 years. But before climbing to mongar dzong, a road branches off the highway and. Expanded into a dzong in 1667, it is located high above the picturesque chokhor valley which is often referred to as little switzerland offering views of the lush valley floor. The mongar dzong is relatively new compared to the other dzongs of the kingdom. The history of bhutan based on buddhism is, indeed, the first book ever to appear on this subject in english by a bhutanese. Intimately associated with the history of eastern bhutan, trashigang dzong is a perfect example of a site that has been in continuous use and care by the local community. Shongar dzong, mongar s original dzong, is in ruins, and the new dzong in mongar town is not as architecturally spectacular or historically significant as others in the region. He was a wise and benevolent ruler who strengthened the kingdoms sovereignty and independence by leading bhutan into the. Traditionally, it is taken to be a transcription of the sanskrit bho. Dzong bok mun is an actress, known for orang chon 1957.
Located in the eastern himalayas, it is bordered by tibet autonomous region of china in the north, the sikkim state of india and the chumbi valley of tibet in the west, the arunachal pradesh state. Bhutan festival dates 2018 toursim council of bhutan provisional. The headquarters of the governor of gongkar or gonggar was at gonggar dzong. The dzong served as a great help to bhutanese forces in driving away from the tibetan forces.
Jomolhari trek is one of the most popular and oldest treks in bhutan. Trashiyangtse dzong bhutan trashi yangtse dzong bhutan. Built in 1930, the mongar dzong is a relatively new construction due to the original dzong being destroyed by a fire and earthquake. The road from mongar to lheuntse dzong is a 3 hours drive over a distance of 77 kilometres 48 mi and 63 kilometres 39 mi from its junction at gangola. The dzongs fortress monasteries close to paro and thimphu are obvious first stops on that onceinlifetime bhutan trip, but for travellers looking to enrich the bhutan experience, heres a quick guide to some of the top experiences in the further reaches of the kingdom places where global influence is less, where nature is at its most untamed, and where traditional buddhist culture. Mongar dzong, zhongar dzong, dramitse lhakhang, aja ney. Druk yul, officially the kingdom of bhutan druk gyal khap, is a landlocked country in south asia. However, unlike the earlier dzongs, that are located in strategic positions, mongar dzong is located on a small gently sloping area just above the town. Ive found a few old pictures of it and a few pictures of the recent ruins, but almost no writing about the history of the monastery and the ruined fort. Founding of zhongar mongar dzong 5 kunzang thinley 7. Shongar dzong is a town in mongar district in southeasterncentral bhutan. Administrative divisions of bhutan project gutenberg self.
Mongar dzong is one of the newest dzongs in bhutan and unlike other traditional. Mongar dzongkhag administration views royal government of. History of the drukgyal dzong builtin 1649 by zhabdrung ngawang namgyal, drukgyel dzong, meaning victorious fortress, marked the victory of bhutan over tibet in 1644 tibetan invasion. Sep 22, 2016 punakha dzong in western bhutan its often considered the most beautiful dzong in the country, it is also the most important dzong in bhutanese history. An introduction to traditional architecture of bhutan. The landscape here is spectacular with stark cliffs and gorges, and dense coniferous forests. However unlike the earlier dzongs, that are located in strategic positions, mongar dzong is located on a small gentle slopy area just above the town. Mongar dzongkhag travel eastern bhutan, bhutan lonely. Dzongdags chronology royal government of bhutan mongar. Mongar dzong according to oral legend, a king named karpo dung invited an architect from paro, zochhen bala to build a fortress in the region. History of haa valley hed lung gyu zhi 125 geshe tenzin wangchuk 6. The road to mongar crosses thumshingla 3,800 m, the highest pass in bhutan. Perched on a steep ridge which rises from the confluence of the two rivers, dongdi chu and kholong chu, the trashiyangtse dzong was sanctified with the sacred rabney consecration ceremony on march 23 and 24, 2005.
With the exception of some erudite books in chhokey, little has been written on such a subject in english by bhutanese scholars. Palace of the profound meaning of secret mantras is a small dzong. Starting from paro valley and ending in thimphu capital. Bhutan travel guide book for download guidesebooks. The current state of the dzong as a ruin appeals even more to the sentiments of the bhutanese people. The highlight of this trek is breathtaking views of mt. Ruins of zhongar dzong attractions in mongar bookmytour. It is the best companion for you when travelling to bhutan. Simtokha dzong dzong means castlemonastery also known as sangak zabdhon phodrang bhutanese language meaning. Mongar dzong although more recently built 1930, it was constructed the same way as all earlier dzongs, without plans or nails. A visit to any dzongkhag of the himalayan kingdom of bhutan is incomplete without treating your eyes to the spectacular sights of the grandiose dzongs fortresses and magnificent statues of the protector deities. Mongar dzong mongar, bhutan attractions lonely planet.
This amazing and historical palace has been built during the 1600s and has already been renovated several times. The precise etymology of bhutan is unknown, although it is likely to derive from the tibetan endonym bod used for tibet. Drametse monastery is another place of sanctity, and its splendor is entrenched with profound history and the significant accounts of the past. By registering, i consent to the transfer of personal information to the u. After a hearty breakfast, make your way to mongar dzong and take a seat around.
Yet the dzong is built in the same method and traditions of all the other dzongs. Punakha dzong, the greatest dzong in bhutan unusual traveler. Bhutan, thimpu,paro, punakha,wangdi phodrang,tongsa,bumthang. Along with a detailed social and political analysis, it offers substantive discussions of bhutans geography and culture. The dzongs were built to replace the loss of gsang sngags zab dong, i semtokha dzong. The ruin of zhongar dzong endures to this day as a testimony to the skill of its. You will come across beautiful highlander villages, spot blue sheep, beautiful lakes and high altitude birds. The ruins hold great historical significance and its beauty stuns visitors from foreign lands. Vast and impressive fortresses, known as dzongs, dominate. It was, during the th and 14th centuries, the seat of sakya power, in the tsongpo.
National museum and perhaps ask your guide to book a well earned hotstone bath. Foreword the late king of bhutan, his majesty jigme dorji wangchuck, and the late prime minister of bhutan, lonchen jigme palden dorji, were the two main architects of modern bhutan. I understand that the personal information i submit through this website will be stored and processed in the u. Mongar is noted for its lemon grass, a plant that can be used to produce an essential oil. Things to do in mongar dzong, mongar, bhutan facebook. Dobji dzong dobji dokar dzong fortress built in 1531 by ngawang chogyal, the brother of drukpa kuenley popularly known as the divine madman, the dokardogar dobji dobrji dzong is situated at an altitude of 6,600 feet on the way to haa in western bhutan. The mongar district is the northern portion of the ancient region of khyeng. It houses the district monastic body and government administrative offices of paro dzongkhag. The former was a thinker, innovator and visionary whose ideas were far ahead of his times.
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