BHUTAN Galleries

Paro Taktsang : Paro Taktsang Monastery also known as Tiger's nest, caressed by mist. It is one of the holiest places in Bhutan the monastery is perched on a high granite cliff at 3,120 meters, overlooking the northern Paro valley. This place is especially venerated because of its association with Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have flown to Paro Taktsang in the form of Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming dakini-tigress in the 747A.D. Paro valley, Bhutan.

Paro Taktsang

Paro Taktsang Monastery also known as Tiger's nest, caressed by mist. ...

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 2:32am PST

Trongsa Dzong : Trongsa Dzong is the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan, located in Trongsa district, in the centre of the country. Built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the Mangde River, a temple was first established at the location in 1543 by the Drukpa lama, Ngagi Wangchuk son of Ngawang Chhojey. In 1647, his great-grandson Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal constructed the first dzong to replace it, called Chökhor Rabtentse Dzong with a shorter version of Choetse Dzong. It was enlarged several times during the 18th century; the Chenrezig Lhakang was built in 1715 and a whole complex, including the Maitreya (Jampa) temple, was added in 1771. Trongsa Dzong is an important administrative building, providing the headquarters of the government of Trongsa District. Trongsa provides a strategic central location to control Bhutan and for centuries it was the seat of the Wangchuck dynasty of penlops (governors) who effectively ruled over much of eastern and central Bhutan, and from 1907 have been Kings of Bhutan. It is also a major monastic complex, with around 200 monks. It contains a notable printing house, responsible for the printing of many religious texts in Bhutan. Trongsa district, Bhutan.

Trongsa Dzong

Trongsa Dzong is the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan, located in Tron ...

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 1:39am PST

Taa Dzong - National Museum, Trongsa : The Tower of Trongsa. The early tower of Trongsa or Taa Dzong was built in 1652 by Choegyel Mingyur Tenpa, who was also entrusted by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel with enlargement of Trongsa Dzong. In the years following, the structures were added on. The towers are prominently situated on a steep hill above the main Dzong. The structures consist of a massive circular five-storey tower or utse, flanked by two lower towers. These South and North towers connect to the utse by multi·storey wings. Two smaller free free standing simi-circular towers are located further down the hill. The tower complex was intended to ward off attacks on the Dzong. Once the peace came to Bhutan, the tower lost its military function and it become home to two hermits, who continue to live here in the southern wing. Taa Dzong houses two temples. One is dedicated to the legendary King Gesar of Ling. The other is the shrine dedicated to Jowo Jamba, or Maitreya Buddha. In the recent years, Taa Dzong also became a museum and more recently new galleries have been established. Taa Dzong is both a place of worship for Bhutanese Buddhists and a museum presenting the rich historical and religious heritage of Trongsa Dzong. A narrative thread takes the visitor through eleven galleries which showcases the historic and religious significance of Trongsa Dzong. One of the galleries is dedicated to the history of the kings of the Wangchuk dynasty who have ruled the kingdom since 1907. Many important royal possessions including clothing, ritual and every day objects serve to illustrate the lives of the royal family that has so uniquely shaped Bhutan. The Museum is open from 9am till 5pm from April 01 - Oct. 31 and from 10am till 4pm during other periods. Trongsa District, Bhutan.

Taa Dzong - National Museum, Trongsa

The Tower of Trongsa. The early tower of Trongsa or Taa Dzong was bui ...

Updated: Mar 15, 2012 11:40pm PST

Gangtey Monastery : Gangtey Monastery is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition located in the Wangdue Phodrang District, Pobjika Valley. The Monastery is one of the main seats of the religious tradition based on Pema Lingpa's revelations and one of the two main centres of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in the country. Wangdue Phodrang District, Bhutan.

Gangtey Monastery

Gangtey Monastery is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Bud ...

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 2:17am PST

Punakha Dzong : Punakha Dzong was constructed by Tuebi Zaow Balip under the great command of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. It is also the country's most beautiful Dzong.It is the winter residence of Bhutan's Central Monastic Body led by HH the Je Khenpo. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Terton Padma Lingpa. Punakha, Bhutan.

Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong was constructed by Tuebi Zaow Balip under the great comm ...

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 2:51am PST

Memorial Chorten : The Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a chorten in Thimphu, Bhutan, located on Doeboom Lam in the southern-central part of the city near the main roundabout and Indian military hospital. The chorten, built in 1974 to honor the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. In 2008, it underwent extensive renovation. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan". It was consecrated by His Holiness, the Late Dudjom Rimpoche. This chorten is unlike other chortens as it does not enshrine the mortal remains of the late King. Only the King’s photo in a ceremonial dress adorns a hall in the ground floor.[2] The King when he was alive wanted to build "a chorten to represent the mind of the Buddha". Thimpu, Bhutan.

Memorial Chorten

The Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a chorten ...

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 2:27am PST

Wangde Choeling Dzong : Along the Chamkhar River in central Bhutan, Wangduechhoeling Palace rises from the Jakar valley floor, surrounded by the verdant colors of the region’s rice fields. Constructed as a private residence in 1857 for Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel, a legendary Bhutanese warrior, the palace was the birthplace of the first King of Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck, Jigme Namgyel’s son. Under King Ugyen Wangchuck, Wangduechhoeling became the seat of national power in the early twentieth century, housing the king’s offices and courts. In 1950, the capital was moved to Paro, and ten years later the royal family followed. For the last 50 years, Wangduechhoeling has been largely neglected, though a monastic school housing a community of 30 monks has occupied a small portion of the rooms since 2004. The palace and its ancillary structures remain a classic example of nineteenth century Bhutanese architecture. White stone walls bonded with earthen mortar, wattle-and-daub partitions, and richly ornamented timber details characterize the complex, which is built around a central courtyard and houses priceless murals, texts, sculptures, and textiles. Bumthang, Bhutan.

Wangde Choeling Dzong

Along the Chamkhar River in central Bhutan, Wangduechhoeling Palace ri ...

Updated: Mar 21, 2012 11:10pm PST

Wangdu Phodrung : Wangdu Phodrang is a town and capital of Wangdue Phodrang District in central Bhutan. The town shares its name with the dzong, built in 1638 which dominates the district. The name is said to have been given by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who was searching for the best location for a dzong to prevent incursions from the south. At the chosen spot the Shabdrung encountered a boy named Wangdi playing beside the river and hence named the dzong "Wangdi's Palace". Wangdue Phodrang District, Bhutan.

Wangdu Phodrung

Wangdu Phodrang is a town and capital of Wangdue Phodrang District in ...

Updated: Mar 21, 2012 11:24pm PST

Ugyen Choling Palace : 400 years old Ugyen Choling Palace. Bumtang, Bhutan.

Ugyen Choling Palace

400 years old Ugyen Choling Palace. Bumtang, Bhutan.

Updated: Mar 21, 2012 10:49pm PST

Simtokha Dzong : Simtokha Dzong is a small dzong, located about 3 miles south of the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan, the dzong is the first of its kind built in Bhutan. An important historical monument and former Buddhist monastery, today it houses one of the premier Dzongkha language learning institutes. It recently underwent renovation. Thimpu, Bhutan.

Simtokha Dzong

Simtokha Dzong is a small dzong, located about 3 miles south of the Bh ...

Updated: Mar 21, 2012 11:30pm PST

Drukgyal Dzong : Drukgyal Dzong was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of the Paro valley in Paro District of Bhutan. The Dzong was probably built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649 at the behest of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. In the early 1950s Drukgyal Dzong was almost completely destroyed by fire.

Drukgyal Dzong

Drukgyal Dzong was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, lo ...

Updated: Mar 15, 2012 2:51am PST

Jakar Dzong : Jakar Dzong is located on a ridge above Jakar town in the Chamkhar valley of Bumthang. It is built on the site of an earlier temple established by the Ralung hierarch Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk (1517–1554) when he came to Bhutan. Jakar Dzong may be the largest dzong in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than 1,500 metres (4,900 ft). Bumthang District, Bhutan.

Jakar Dzong

Jakar Dzong is located on a ridge above Jakar town in the Chamkhar val ...

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 3:15am PST

Jampey Lhakhang : Jampey Lhakhang or Jampa, is located in Bumthang (Jakar) in Bhutan, and is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 AD on a single day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever. Bumthang, Bhutan.

Jampey Lhakhang

Jampey Lhakhang or Jampa, is located in Bumthang (Jakar) in Bhutan, an ...

Updated: Mar 15, 2012 11:23pm PST

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal : Khamsum Yulley Namgyal stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley. Built over a period of 9 years, Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters, and sculptors consulted holy scriptures rather than engineering manuals, to construct this 4-storey temple. It is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. Built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, this temple is dedicated for the well being of the kingdom and the benefit of all sentient beings. Punakha, Bhutan.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal stands majestically on a strategic ridge above ...

Updated: Mar 21, 2012 11:36pm PST

Kyichu Lhakhang : Kyichu Lhakhang, is an important Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lamgong Gewog of Paro District in Bhutan.

Kyichu Lhakhang

Kyichu Lhakhang, is an important Himalayan Buddhist temple situated i ...

Updated: Mar 21, 2012 11:46pm PST

Rinpung Dzong, Paro : Ripung Dzong is one of Bhutan's most impressive and well known dzongs, and the finest example of Bhutanese architecture. The dzong is known as Paro Dzong, which means "fortress on a heap of jewels. The dzong has always been one of Bhutan's strongest and most important fortresses and on numerous occasions was used to defend the Paro Valley from invasion by Tibet. The dzong's serve as religious and administrative centers The dzong's serve as religious and administrative centers. Paro, Bhutan

Rinpung Dzong, Paro

Ripung Dzong is one of Bhutan's most impressive and well known dzongs, ...

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 2:23am PST

Tshedra: Monastic School : Tshedra, a monastic school, where Bhutanese people study to become a monk. Outskirts of Phobjika. Bhutan.

Tshedra: Monastic School

Tshedra, a monastic school, where Bhutanese people study to become a m ...

Updated: Mar 22, 2012 12:02am PST

Archery: National Sport of Bhutan : Bhutan's national sport is archery, and competitions are held regularly in most villages.

Archery: National Sport of Bhutan

Bhutan's national sport is archery, and competitions are held regularl ...

Updated: Mar 26, 2012 2:01am PST

Chazam Bridge :

Chazam Bridge

Updated: Mar 26, 2012 2:01am PST

Monastic :

Monastic

Updated: Mar 26, 2012 1:43am PST

Bhutanese People :

Bhutanese People

Updated: Mar 26, 2012 2:23am PST