Wangdue Phodrang Dzong

Wangdue Phodrang Dzong

  • The famous Wangduephodrang Dzong (fortress) situated close to the main Wangdue Phodrang Town of Bajo and takes around 10-minute drive from there.

  • This Dzong was founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638 built on a ridge that looks like a ‘sleeping elephant’ overlooking the convergence of the Dangchhu and Punatsangchhu rivers.  

  • It is believed that Zhabdrung established the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong upon direction from the great Yeshey Goenpo (Mahakala) who visited Zhabdrung at Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha and directed him to construct a Dzong on a ridge in Wangdu Phodrang. When Zhabdrung sent some superintendents to the survey the site, they saw four ravens flying in circles around the spot where the Dzong is built today. When Zhabdrung learned about it, he took as an omen and further directed the construction of the masterpiece.

  • It is built in a Bhutanese architectural design with the only difference that it is on the hilltop unlike many other Dzongs and interestingly it also has an underground passage to be used in times of need, it also houses fourteen chapels and shrines within the Dzong. In 2012, the Dzong was razed to the ground by fire and efforts are on to rebuild the Dzong to its former glory.

  • Though the Dzong is still under renovation, visitors can visit the site and witness the splendour of its beauty even in its damaged stage.

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