Rinpung Dzong Banner Image

Fortress on a Heap of Jewels

Author: TG Contributor
Date: 2020-06-02

Share using:

Rinpung Dzong is a large beautiful dzong (fort) with towering walls built in the 1646 by Zabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Known as the Fortress on a Heap of Jewels, Rinpung Dzong is among the best tourist places in Bhutan and a classic example of Bhutanese architecture and deep-rooted traditions. Rinpung Dzong consists of a Buddhist monastery and fortress. It also has the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu School in Paro District, Bhutan. It houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.

In the 15th century local people offered the crag of Hungrel at Paro to Lama Drung Drung Gyal. He built a small temple there and later a five storied Dzong or fortress which was known as Hungrel Dzong. In the 17th century, his descendants, the lords of Hungrel, offered this fortress to the Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Namgyal, the Zhabdrung Rinpoche, in recognition of his religious and temporal authority.

Rinpung Dzong

Rinpung Dzong

In 1644 existing dzong was dismantled by the Zhabdrung and they laid the foundations of a new dzong. In 1646 the dzong was re-consecrated and established as the administrative and monastic centre of the western region and it became "Rinpung Dzong". Some scenes of film Little Buddha were shot in this dzong in 1993. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion.

A great annual festival of Bhutan known as Tshechu is held at Rinpung Dzong in March or April month (from the eleventh to the fifteenth day of the second month of the traditional Bhutanese lunar calendar). On this occasion, holy images are taken in a procession. Monks perform a series of traditional mask dances conveying religious stories. Before the break of dawn on the morning of the fifteenth day, a huge sacred Thangka banner depicting the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava is displayed for the public, to keep to the tradition of not allowing sunlight to fall on it.




No Comments

Trending Blogs

General Read More
Food of Sikkim
Leisure Read More
Know the best places to visit in North east India: Meghalaya and more
Adventure Rush Read More
Trekking in the lost kingdom of Mustang

Latest Blogs

Culture Read More
Finding culture and spirituality on the trans-Bhutan trail
Adventure Rush Read More
Get Ready to Say Goodbye to Solo Trekking in Nepal
Leisure Read More
My Encounter with Mt. Everest at Tiger Hill
Adventure Rush Read More
Summer adventure activities in Meghalaya
A call to all travel junkies
Share your amazing travel stories
&
inspire someone today!
Become a TOURGENIE contributor
Write for our blog
Want to explore more Activities?
Explore Activities
Dzukou Valley Trek-Nagaland Tour Package
Dzukou Valley Trek-Nagaland Tour Package
5 Days 4 Nights
Explore Activities
Spectacular Bhutan Tour
Spectacular Bhutan Tour
9 Days 8 Nights
Explore Activities
7-day Gangtok Pelling Darjeeling tour
7-day Gangtok Pelling Darjeeling tour
8 Days 7 Nights
PARTNERS
ADDRESS:
  • Near Co-Operative, Middle Sichey Gangtok, East Sikkim, India, 737101

    • booking@tourgenie.com
    • support@tourgenie.com