Renovated Semtokha Dzong consecrated
Oct 15, 2008-Thimphu: His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo, the fourth King, and devotees attended the consecration of the renovated Semtokha Dzong yesterday in the presence of His Holiness the Je Khenpo Trulku Jigme Choeda.
The 379-year-old structure was renovated to conserve and rehabilitate the fortress as one of the most significant heritage sites of Bhutan and to assist in establishing it as a center for ‘Living Monastic Arts’.
The director of culture department, Dorji Tshering, said the government has maintained the Dzong’s original architecture. He said the development and rehabilitation of spaces were carried out to suit the new use of the Dzong as a center for monastic arts.
The two new lhakhangs (Zhabdrung and Sangay lakhangs) are installed within the dzong complex, and the father of the first King, Jigme Namgyel’s residence in the Dzong has been furnished.
Some of the new structures include the dormitories (drasha), dining hall, kitchen, toilet and bath houses. Other activities undertaken were the overall development of the Dzong complex including landscaping, lighting, and construction of parking spaces.
Semtokha Dzong, the first to be built by Zhabdrung in 1629, assumes an immense political, religious, and architectural significance, according to the home ministry.
Semtokha Dzong was a symbolic establishment in terms of political and religious authority of Zhabdrung in Bhutan in the early 17th century. The Dzong served not only as a structure for defense but also as a center of religious activities with establishment of a monastic body alongside the Zhabdrung’s army.
Architecturally, the Dzong served as a reference to all the dzongs Zhabdrung built in the country. Unlike most other dzongs that have undergone major renovations or redesigns, Semtokha Dzong still retains a majority of its original design and structure.
History says that a Tibetan Lama, Zhang, had prophesized that Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal would build the Dzong. The construction of the Dzong was completed in 1631.
The Dzong is said to have been modeled on the Gyal Gyad Tshel Institute of Ralung, Tibet. It has a special significance in housing the first ever inner sanctum of the largest statue of the deity Yeshey Gonpo (Mahakala), the protecting deity of Bhutan.
The nangten (main relic) of the Dzong is the statue of the Buddha Shakya Gyalpo (Buddha of Compassion). It is believed that fortunate visitors will be able to see a light shinning from the chest of this Buddha statue. The Dzong also hosts a statue of the God of Compassion (Chenrezig).
Wall paintings of 1,000 images of the Buddha and slate carvings beautify the temple. The scriptures of Kanjur (translation of the words of Buddha) and Bum (prajnaparamita), which are thought to be unique and special, are among the precious items of the Dzong.
The Dzong houses Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal’s palace, and there is also a statue of Zhabdrung donated by His Majesty Jigme Khesar and Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck in honor of the 49th birth anniversary of the fourth King.
In 1961, Rigney School (a religious and cultural studies school) was moved from its initial location at Wangditse monastery in Thimphu to Semtokha Dzong with Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche as the first principal. The central Monastic Body took over the Dzong in 1997 to establish a monastic school.
Their Majesties the Queens, Their Highnesses the Princes and Princesses, the prime minister, and the cabinet ministers also attended the consecration ceremony.
During the consecration, various religious artifacts and monastic arts were displayed for the public. Jigme Namgyel’s saddle was also displayed.
The Nu 101.67-million renovation project of the Dzong started in April 2005 with funding from the government of India. The project was carried out by the conservation of heritage sites division under the culture department of the home ministry.
By Passang Dorji (Bhutan Times)