Trongsa
EN-ROUTE TO TRONGSA VIA PELELA
After Phubjikha Junction, It is 14kms through steep mountainside to Pelela, it is one of the highest passes that raise up
to 3300mtrs. In Ancient times the Jurisdiction of the Trongsa Penlop(Governor) extended just to this pass.
TRONGSA VALLEY
Trongsa Lies at an altitude of 1900mtrs above the sea level, there is a rich history on how Trongsa got its name. One of the great Tibetan saints meditated and observed a light burning on a ridge below. When he went down to the light, he saw the foot print of a great protective deities call Pelden Lhamo. He has built a Tshamkhang (Meditation cell) and meditated there, later more of saints from different place has also built meditation cell and started meditating. Suddenly it started looking like a small village, the people of another valley has kept the name as Trongsa.
Trong meaning Village and Sar meaning New, A new village.
All roads heading to the East, South and West diverge from the center of the town.
TRONGSA DZONG
Dzong is the biggest and the most impressive dzong in Bhutan signifying the magnificent work of Buddhist Architecture. It is maize of Court Yards, Passageway and corridors. It has been described as being perched so high on a mountain that the clouds float below it. This Dzong was built in 1647 by the person who unified the country (Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.). There are in Total 25 separate Lhakhangs (Temple) in the Dzong. Trongsa Religious Festival performs during the 11month of Bhutanese calendar.
TA-DZONG (Watch Tower)
This watch tower was built to guard the Trongsa Dzong from the inter-Region and outside invaders. In another small chapel upstairs, there is an interesting representation of Palace, with small statues of Horses, Yaks and Elephant. During the War two British soldiers are said to have been held as prisoners in the Dungeon here for several months.
KUENGA RABTEN PALACE
This palace is 23kms south of Trongsa, the palace is the winter residence of the 2nd King Jigme Wangchuk. The Palace gives an intimate insight into life during the early days of Bhutan’s Monarchy. The ground floor was used to store food, the 1st floor was the residence of royal attendants and the army; and 2nd floor housed the royal quarters and the King’s Private Chapel.
THURPANG PALACE
The 3rd King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk was born here in 1928. The Palace is a 2-storied house of typical Bhutanese design located above the current Sunday vegetable market.This Palace tells us how simple a life of our king lived.
TRONGSA TO BUMTHANG VIA CROSSING YOTONGLA AND KEKELA
35kms from the Trongsa valley is to Yotongla Pass at 3400mtrs, the pass is marked with a chorten and arrays of fluttering prayer. Drive through the valley of Chumey valley, the valley begins at Gyatsa and has average altitude of 2500mtrs. En-route from the way you can also see the several monasteries and Temples, Buli Monastery, Tharpaling Monastery, Domkhar Tashichoeling Monastery, Zhungney Monastery, Prakhar Monastery and Nyimalung Temple. All the monasteries were built in 14th and 15century.
The road follows the apple orchard of Nangor, the last village of Chume valley and short climb to Kekela Pass at 2990mtrs. About half hour drives reach you in Chamkhar valley, which is the main down town of Bumthang Valley.
