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Who built Wangdue Dzong?
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel
Built in the 17th century, the Wangduephodrang dzong was among the first dzongs built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The dzong was rebuilt in 1837 after it was damaged by a fire, and by an earthquake in 1897. Wangdue dzong reconstruction project director Kinley Wangchuk said the dzong is today 58 percent complete.
When did Wangdue Phodrang Dzong caught fire?
24 June 2012
Wangdi is important in the history of Bhutan because in the early days it was the site of the country’s second capital. Sadly, the dzong caught fire on 24 June 2012 and was virtually destroyed save for the lower walls.
Why Wangdue dzong was built?
The dzongs were built to replace the loss of Gsang sngags zab dong,i (Semtokha Dzong). Semtokha dzong was destroyed in 1634 during the Bhutan-Tibet war. Until then it served as the permanent fortified seat of Zhabdrung’s administration.
What is the another name for Wangdue Phodrang Dzong?
Wangdue Phodrang District (Dzongkha: དབང་འདུས་ཕོ་བྲང་རྫོང་ཁག་; Wylie: Dbang-‘dus Pho-brang rdzong-khag; previously spelled “Wangdi Phodrang”) is a dzongkhag (district) of central Bhutan.
What is dzong in Bhutan?
Dzongs are traditional Bhutanese fortresses, built across the country during the 17th century as a defence against impending attacks from Tibet. They are uniquely constructed, with no iron nails to hold them together, as well as being decorated with traditional Bhutanese woodwork and intricate art.
Who built the first dzong in Bhutan?
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
Built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, this is the first dzong to provide administrative facilities and serves as the home of institute for Language and Culture Studies.
Why is dzong important?
settlement patterns in Bhutan The dzong served as a stronghold against enemies in the past, and it now plays an important role as a combined administrative centre and monastery.
What is dzong used for?
Dzong in Bhutan is a complex of fortified building which served as a principal seat of Buddhist school. Most of the Dzongs were built to be strategic footholds for gaining influence of particular Buddhist schools and controlling over the region under the power of the schools.
Which is the first dzong built by zhabdrung?
Simtoka Dzong
The Simtoka Dzong, built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, functions as a monastic and administrative centre and is the oldest dzong which has survived in its original form; Namgyal brought into vogue, for the first time in Bhutan, this concept of the “dzong” as castle monastery.
Why is zhabdrung important in our history?
In 1634, in the Battle of Five Lamas, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal prevailed over the Tibetan and Bhutanese forces allied against him, and was the first to unite Bhutan into a single country.
What does the presence of dzong symbolize?
The presence of Dzongs across the country symbolizes unification and the recognition of a central authority by the people in the region. These Dzongs were subsequently used as military bases and as an armory to fight against the Tibetan invasions from the north and the British-Indian attacks from the south.
What dzong means?
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong in Bhutan (Source) Dzongs can be literally translated to fortress and they represent the majestic fortresses that adorn every corner of Bhutan. Dzong are generally a representation of victory and power when they were built in ancient times to represent the stronghold of Buddhism.
When was the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong burnt down?
Dzong at Wangdue Phodrang, Bhutan. An historic dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638 was located at Wangdue Phodrang. The dzong was burnt down by a fire in June 2012. However, as the dzong was being renovated at the time of the fire, most of the historic relics had been put into storage and so were saved from destruction.
Where is Wangdue Phodrang District located in Bhutan?
Southeastern Wangdue (the gewogs of Athang and Phobji) is part of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Also protected are the biological corridors crisscrossing the district that connect Bhutan’s extensive national park system.
What is the name of the district in Bhutan?
Wangdue Phodrang District (Dzongkha: དབང་འདུས་ཕོ་བྲང་རྫོང་ཁག་; Wylie: Dbang-‘dus Pho-brang rdzong-khag; previously spelled “Wangdi Phodrang”) is a dzongkhag (district) of central Bhutan. This is also the name of the dzong (built in 1638) which dominates the district, and the name of the small market town outside the gates of the dzong.