Trongsa Choekor Rabtentse Dzong

Overlooking the Mangdechhu River, the Trongsa Dzong testifies to Bhutan’s architectural heritage, political history, rich traditions and culuture. This magnaificent structure, which has been witness to various significant events, has a rich legacy.

Druk Minjur Chokhor Rabten Tse later became the Dzong’s name on the order of Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the first Trongsa Penlop. It literally means the Dzong on the tip of a Dungkhar (conch), of the never- changing country of Druk and the everlasting Dharma.

Trongsa Dzong datesd back to the time of Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk, a descendant of Ngawang Chogyal and a revered follower of Kuenkhen Pema Karpo. On his visit to central Bhutan in 1541, he meditated at the village of Yueli in Trongsa, a few kilometers above the present Dzong. One night, in meditation, Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk saw a lighted butter lamp below the ridge of the present Goenkhang, which houses the guardian deities Palden Lhamo (Mahakali) and Yeshey Goenpo (Mahakali). On his visit to the site he came across the footprints of the steed and the lhatsho (sacred pond) of the guardian deity, Palden Lhamo. Considering the place to be a Nye (sacred site), he fashioned meditation quarters (tshamkhang). As he meditated in his new dwelling, the deity Pelden Lhamo appeared. She prophesied that in the future this place would play an important role in spreading the teachings of Buddha. After the incident he constructed a small temple, which he named Mondruply. Over the years his disciple built many smaller meditation centers near the Mondrupley temple, which soon began to resemble a small village. The people of Yueli named this new settlement Tron-sar (new village).

Expansion

1647, Chogyal Minjur Tempa was appointed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal as the first Trongsa Penlop and as his representative in Trongsa. During his tenure Chogyal Minjur Tempa constructed a Dzong which resemble a fort and housed various Lhakhangs. He also built the present goenkhang on the same spot where Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk had seen the vision of Pelden Lhamo. On the northern side of the Dzong he built a new wing, expanding the Mondruple into the Mithrub Lhakhang. In 1652, with the construction of the Poekhang or Minjur Lhakhang, he further expended the Dzong. At the end of the 17th century, the 4th Desi, Tenzin Rabgyal, also expended it. He consecrated the Goenkhang of Pelden Lhamo and Yeshey Goenpo in 1667.

In 1715, Penlop Druk Dendrup built the Chenrezi Lhakhang; and in 1765 the Trongsa Penlop, Zhidar, established the Trongsa Rabdey with approximately 50 monks.  In 1853, the tenth Trongsa Penlop, Jigme Namgyal, built the Dechhog Lhakhang in the central section of the Dzong. According to a legend, prior to the consecration of the Dechhog image and the Dechhog Lhakhang, two disciples of Lam Jangchu Tsindup arrived from Tibet with the sacred self created (Rangjung) image of Dorje Phagmo, one of the 21 Rangjung Kharsa Pani, a religious relic amazingly shaped from the spine of Tsangpa Jarey, the patriarch of the Drukpa Kagyu sect. the sacred Rangjung was offered to Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal and is today housed in a gaw (amulet) placed at the center of a life-sized silver image of the Dorje Phagmo in the Dechhog Lhakhang.

Dechhog Lhakhang was built owing to Jigme Namgyal’s wish to put an end to all internal conflicts between the local rulers. Seeking suggestion from Lam Jangchu Tsuendru as to what could be done to establish a peaceful and harmonious community which would benefit whole sentient beings, the Lam suggested reciting a billion mantras of Dechhog Khorlo Dompa and also building a statue of Dechhog facing west, acts which would not only exterminate all enemies but also ensure that his lineage would rule the country. The Lam’s prophesy came true when, in 1907, the whole nation unanimously elected and installed Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuk as the first Druk Gyalpo of the country. In 1927 King Jigme Wangchuk renovated the Chenrezi Lhakhang.

Entrance & Exits

The Dzong has four doors, one facing each direction. The doors facing east and west were the most frequently used doors; people traveling from eastern Bhutan had to pass through those doors. The north and south doors led to secret passages used by those residing in the Dzong. However, at present the north and east doors are used regularly as the main entrance and exit points. The east door conducts one to the royal stable and the water prayer wheel. Passing through these doors was considered a cleaning act, as the doors displayed several paintings of sacred elements. The palace of Desi Jigme Namgyal is located above the eastern gate. This palace is called Thrue Pang.