Dzongs in Bhutan to be insured

Dzong is a 17th century structures built on a grand scale without the help of any drawing and nail in Bhutanese architecture. Patterns of rich colors adorn every wall, beam, pillar, door in traditional splendor.

The architecture is massive in style with towering exterior walls surrounding a complex of courtyards, temples, administrative offices, and monk housing.

Dzongs serve as the religious, military, administrative, and social centers of their district. They are often the site of an annual tsechu or religious festival.

The rooms inside the dzong are typically allocated half to administrative function (such as the office of the penlop or governor), and half to religious function, primarily the housing of monks. This division between administrative and religious functions reflects the idealized duality of power between the religious and administrative branches of government

Famous Dzongs in Bhutan

Trongsa Dzong

Built in 1644, is the seat of power of the Wangchuck dynasty, rulers of Bhutan since 1907. Traditionally the King of Bhutan first becomes the Penlop (governor) of Trongsa before being named Crown Prince and eventually King. Built on a mountain spur high above the gorges of the Mangde Chhu, the dzong controlled east-west trade for centuries. The only road connecting eastern and western Bhutan (the precursor to the modern Lateral Road), passed through the courtyard of the dzong. At the command of the penlop the massive doors could be shut, dividing the country in two.

Higher yet on the mountainside is a large watchtower, called “Ta Dzong”, which guards the slopes above the dzong, preventing attackers from firing arrows down into the courtyards below.

Simtokha Dzong

Simtokha Dzong was build in 1627 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, this Dzong is oldest in Bhutan. The Dzong houses Rigney School for Dzongkha and monastic studies.