Trongsa forms the central hub of the nation and is historically the place from where attempts at unifying the country were launched. It is from here the first Monarchy was elected and still traditionally the crown prince has to take the position of governor before he takes the seat of the Golden Throne.
Trongsa Dzong
Trongsa Dzong was built in 1644 by Chogyal Migmar Tempa “an official who was sent by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal; The Founder of Bhutan. The first temple was built by Lam Ngagi Wangchuk, who was the great grandfather of Shabdrung in the year 1543. Lam Ngagi Wangchuk came to Trongsa in the year 1541 and built a Tshamkhang (Small Meditation Room).
Trongsa Dzong was first occupied by Jigme Namgyal the Father of First King of Bhutan. According to Lama Jangchub Tsongdru, he made two prophesies which made Jigme Namgyel’s future and his life. The first prophesy was to set up of a West facing image of “Samvara” (a deity worshipped in Bhutan) inside the Dzong by Jigme Namgyal which will ensure him with immense of power and he would become the jewel or the crown ornament of the whole country.
The second prophesy states that a son would be born to the wife of Jigme Namgyal, Pem Choki daughter of the First Master Ugyen Phuntsho. The son would be even more powerful than his father and would benefit the kingdom.
The strategic location gave power over this part of the country to run directly through the Dzong itself. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal Family. The first two hereditary kings ruled the country from the Dzong and tradition still dictates that the crown prince served as Trongsa Penlop before acceding to the throne. The current king became Trongsa Penlop in the year 2004. The Dzong suffered damages from earthquake in 1897 and was rebuilt by Penlop of Trongsa, Jigme Namgyal the Father of The First King of Bhutan Ugyen Wangchuck.
Ta-Dzong (Musuem)
Ta Dzong is situated above the Trongsa Dzong. Its mainy built for the purpose to safe guard over the Trongsa Dzong, So its known as the Watch Tower or Tower of Trongsa. Now Ta Dzong is a Museum which contains a lot information of our early ages and the histories how Trongsa valley was formed. Archives says it all.
Kuenga Rabten village
The Kuenga Rabten village is in the outskirt towards the south of Trongsa its about 25 km and can be made for country site visit. Kuenga Rabten Dzong, the palace of the Second King, overlooking the villages with the sight of a long and a big water fall can be seen. Just above the palace with few minutes walk there is a Nunnery Centre where hundreds of nuns are seen in practice of Buddhism.
