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Thimphu- Capital of Bhutan
The capital of Bhutan lies in the valley of 65kms
from Paro.
Thimphu is located at an altitude of 2320m. The name
Thimphu is derived from a huge
rock, which looks like a small hill, which is now
housed in a small Lhakhang like structure. Ther rock
lies in front of Dechenphug Lhakhang a few kms from
Dechen chholing. This small hill/rockis believed to
be sinking each year. “Thim” meaning “to sink” while
“Phu” means a hill, a sinking hill.
A flyover bridge called Lungten Zampa over Thimphu
chhu is the entrance point to the capital Thimphu.
Lungten Zampa means the bridge of the prophecy where
Phajo Drugom Shigpo and his future wife Sonam Peldon
their first night in a cavern beneath this bridge.
Capital of the Kingdom, the population of Thimphu is
about 50,000. The population increases due to
rural-urban migration. The capital is the growing
commercial center with modern pace of development
appears contrary to the otherwise beautiful,
natural, quite Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.
Thimphu is the only capital in the world without
traffic lights.
Tashichhoe Dzong
Tashichhoe Dzong, “The Fortress of the
auspicious Religion”, is popularly known as Thimphu
Dzong, one of the largest dzong. It is the seat of
the government and the center of all religious
affairs of the Kingdom. It was built in 1641 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong also houses the
Ministry of Home Affairs and the Finance Ministry.
The northern portion of of the Dzong is the summer
residence of the Dratshang, the central Monk Body
and Jekhenpo, the chief abbot.
The National Library
The national Library was established in 1967 to
preserve and promote religious and cultural
degradation from rapid modern development. The
library complex erected in 1984 is a towering four
storied building designed as a temple in traditional
Bhutanese style. Foreigners are provided free
access.
ZorigChusum The Painting School. (The
National Institute for thirteen arts),
Zorigchusum means 13different arts practiced in the
Kingdom. It is Bhutan’s unique artistic tradition,
which has played a vital role in molding its
distinct cultural heritage. It was established in
1971 to preserve its invaluable heritage. The
Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts are- Shingzo,
Dozo, Parzo, Lhazo, Jinzo,Lugzo, Shazo, Garzo, Troko,
Tshazo, Dezo, Tshemzo, Thagzo.
Folk Heritage Museum
The museum building is a restored 3-storied
traditional rammed mud and timber house. Her Majesty
the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, who is the
founder and patron of the museum, inaugurated the
museum on 28th July 2001. The museum is officially
known as Phelchey Toenkhyim in Dzongkha. Folk
Heritage museumshowcase the traditional artifacts
used now or in the past, the skills necessary to
make or use these artifacts, the folk lore and
legends, the songs and poems, the sketches and
drawings and the oral knowledge which has been
passed down from generations to generations.
Textile Museum
Textile Museum located in the heart of the city
gives us a fair idea of the living national art of
weaving. Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Sangay Choden
Wangchuck founded the Museum and laid the foundation
stone. The exhibition held in the museum
introducesthe major weaving techniques and styles of
local dress and textiles made by the Bhutanese women
and men. The visiting hour is from 9am to 4 pm
throughout the week. The visiting fees is Nu. 25.00
for SAARC Nationals and Nu.150.00 for other
Nationals.
The National Memorial Chorten
The National Memorial Chortenis the hightlight
of the capitalcitywith its towering golden spires
ahining in the sun and its bells tinkling in the
winds. It is located on the chorten Lamon the way to
the Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referal Hospital,
and is little more than 200m after the first traffic
Post in the main street. Itwas built in 1974in the
memory of the Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk who
passed away in 1972.
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