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Tashichhodzong (Fortress
of the Auspicious Religion)
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Tashichhodzong was built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1962,
by the Late King, His Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
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| While
other governments around the world ensconce themselves in fortresses of
stone and steel, the seat of Bhutan's Royal Government is in a building
that mirrors the country's culture and its people. The Taschichho Dzong
was built in the late 1700's and also serves as the home of the
Central Monastic Body. |
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The
building we see today is largely a modern affair, built in 1962 when His
Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk moved the government to Thimphu after a fire
at its original location.
The
complex's central tower is original. Tashichhodzong houses the main secretariat
building, throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. During the warmer
summer months the monk body headed by His Holiness, the Je Khenpo, makes
its home in the dzong.
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Religious
treasure added to Tashichhodzong
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| With
the consecration of a newly built Neten Chudrug (16 Arhats) Thongdroel by His Holiness the Je Khenpo on February 20, 2002 an invaluable
religious treasure has been added to Trashichhodzong.
Measuring
43 by 64 ft, the Thongdroel depicting the Buddha Shakyamuni, surrounded
by his 16 followers (Arhats), was created under His Holiness' initiative.
His Holiness also contributed Nu. 1.6 million to construct the Thongdroel
which took six months of meticulous and painstaking work for 13 artists.
It will be unfurled to the public annually on the 15th day of the 4th month
of the Bhutanese calendar, coinciding with the Duechhen Ngazom (Lord
Buddha's Mahaparinirvana) celebration. |
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"The
success of creating this unique masterpiece goes to the concerted efforts
of embroidery master, Lopon Ugyen, and his artists who put long hours into
the making of the Thongdroel," said the deputy secretary of the Dratshang
Lhentshog, Ngawang Phuntsho. "If we did not put in extra efforts it
would have taken at least a year or so," Lopon Ugyen, who built more than 14
various Thongdroels over the years, said.
The
need for the Neten Chudrug Thongdroel was felt when His Holiness
initiated a special prayer ceremony last year as an annual event on the
sacred occasion of Lord Buddha's Mahaparinirvana which is celebrated all
over the Buddhist world. "Since we do not have this Thongdroel in Trashichhodzong
we had to hire and bring the Sangay Tsokhorsum Thongdroel all the
way from Dagana dzong during the celebration of Duechhen Ngazom
last year," Ngawang Phuntsho said. According to religious beliefs, a mere
sight of thongdroel liberates sentient beings from the transmigratory existence
through its great cleansing power.
This
article was contributed by KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper
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Tashichhodzong:
Tendrel Thang
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| Seventy-year-old
Ap Dago from Paro has never missed Thimphu Tsechu. This year was his fourth
decade of attendance. But this time, his experience has been an altogether
different one.
After
witnessing Thimphu Tsechu inside the Tashichhodzong courtyard for so long,
Ap Dago said that observing the festival outside the dzong in an open space
was "unusual and exciting".
Ap
Dago's view about Thimphu Tsechu being held in the new ground, Tendrel
Thang, was shared by many, who had come to witness the three-day event,
which began on 8 October 2008. |
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Many
say that, with the increase in population, the new ground has created a
comfortable ambience that helped them enjoy and cherish the event even
more. Most said finding a place to sit or even stand had become a major
problem in recent years.
"I
remember people exchanging blows for seats," said Ap Dago.
Taujay
from Pemagatshel said that he hated the part where they had to wait in
line for long hours before they got to enter the courtyard. "We were sunburnt
and exhausted by the time we managed to get inside, only to find that we
had no place to sit. Now we don't have to worry at all," he said.
Threndel
Thang, which had the capacity to accommodate about 25,000 people, was occupied
by over 10,000 people daily.
Meanwhile,
the new ground has brought relief not just to the locals but to tour operators
and tourists as well.
Tshering
Samdrup, who had been working as a tourist guide for last nine years, said
that they received complaints from their guests about the limited space
to move around and take pictures.
"Tourists
used to come for the festival after paying a huge amount and the crammed
space and uncomfortable ambience disappointed them," he said, adding that
now the guests could move around freely and enjoy the performances.
The
new ground was built at a total cost of Nu 100 million.
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| This
article was contributed by Tenzin Namgyel, KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper
2008 |
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Change in Timing to visit Tashichhodzong
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| The Tourism Council of Bhutan informs all the tour operators that the timing for the visit to the Tashichhodzong by the tourists has been changed as follows:
1. Summer Timing - 1730 hours -1830 hours
2. Winter Timing - 1630 hours - 1730 hours
This has with reference to the Royal Bhutan Police letter Ref.No.RBP/HQs/VIP-security/TD-125/2009/168 dated 20th October, 2009.
Source:Tourism Council of Bhutan, October 2009 |
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Tashichhodzong
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