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Bhutan's Religion Tashichodzong |
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| Tashichhodzong |
| Tashichhodzong - Guru Lhakhang consecrated |
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With
major renovations completed recently, the 117-year old Guru Lhakhang
in the Tashichhodzong was consecrated on December 9, 2003 by His Holiness
the Je Khenpo at a ceremony attended by His Royal Highness the Crown
Prince, Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck (the new king), their Majesties the Queens
and the Council of Ministers .
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Nu 9.7 million renovation project was done by Thimphu dzongkhag in consultation
with the national commission for cultural affairs (NCCA).
Except
for the lhakhang's chhoekhang which houses the main images, and the main
wall, all the old wooden structures of the lhakhang were replaced.
The
renovation work was started in March 2001.
The Guru
Lhakhang was built by the Thimphu dzongpon, Kunzang Thinley in 1886 under
the instruction of Desi Jigme Namgyal. |
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| The
Neten Chudrug thongdroel unfurled at the outer wall of the
Guru Lhakhang in Tashichhodzong |
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The
lhakhang houses images like the Guru Nangsi Zilnon (complete triumph
over all illusory appearances), the Guru Tshengyed (eight manifestations
of Guru Padmasambhava) and the Gongdue Lhatshog (images of Abhipraya
Samaja).
The Guru
Lhakhang is also known as Lhakhangsarp (new temple) because
it was built 114 years after the construction of the Tashichhodzong.
In 1216,
Lama Lhakpa Rinchen Gyalpo built the Dho-Ngen (blue stone) dzong on a hill above Thimphu where Dechenphhodrang now stands. The dzong was
offered to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal by one of the descendants of Lam
Lhakpa in 1641.
The
Zhabdrung renamed it Tashichhodzong (fortress of glorious religion) and it served as the summer residence of the Central Monk Body which was
established in Punakha. It was destroyed by fire during the time of the 16th
Desi, Sonam Lhendup, popularly known as Zhidar in 1772.
Tashichhodzong
was relocated to its present site and rebuilt to accommodate both the civil
officials and monks. A smaller monastery was built at the original site
and renamed Dechhenphodrang.
Between 1962-1969,
King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck completely renovated and enlarged the dzong.
Unlike most other dzongs, Tashichhodzong has two main entrances.
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| This
article was contributed by KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper |
| Information on Bhutan |
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| Tashichhodzong |
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