-Simtokha Dzong  /Sanga Zhabden phodrang built in 1629

-It is the first dzong built by Zhabddrung Ngawang Namgyel.

-It was built on a temple built by Pankha Shong

-It was said that the dzong was built on the stomach of the demon to protect the people.

-It is said that the Dzong stands on the crossroads of the three prominent western regions of Sha (Wangduephodrang), Wang (Thimphu) and Pa (Paro).

-The construction of the Dzong was undertaken by Tango Chhoje Mipham Tshewang Tenzin with assistance from Zhabdrung’s devotees and disciples.

-The Dzong was named as “Sanga Zabdhoen Phodrang” (Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras).

-The main statue is Buddha Sakyamuni and 8 Boddhisatavas

-The has housed the school for Buddhist astrology and school for cultural studies

-Currently it is a monastic school for monks

-Legendary it was built mainly to overcome the powers of Lam kha Nga and an alliance of Tibetans who opposed Zhabdrung and his rules.

-Tibetans attacked the Dzong again in 1630.

-Zhabdrung regained power when the main building caught fire and the roofs collapsed killing the invaders.

-It was also believed that the Dzong was built to guard a demoness who was put under a stone by Zhabdrung and the Dzong was built on it. 

-It was later restored and expanded by the third Druk Desi, Mingyur Tenpa in 1670’s.

-It also served as the chamber for Jigme Namgyel and Zhabdrung in olden times.

-Late Grand queen Mother Phuntsho Choden Wangchuk restored

-4th King restored in 2008

Currently, this Dzong is the only Dzong in the country which is used entirely for monk body.

-WelCome to Simtokha Dzong.

-Sem-tokha or Sem-dokha stands on a hillock Simtokha

-It is approximately five Kilometers south of Thimphu City, on the road to the Paro Phuentholing highway.

-It is located at an elevation of 2,250 meters approximately above the sea level, which is 2 kilometres drive from Thimphu Town.

-It geographically stands at 27 degree towards the Northern Hemisphere 89 degree towards Eastern Himalayan.

1.We are lucky to take pictures from outside (Courtyard) Fortress.
2.Please refrain from taking pictures, while we are inside the Fortress.
3.Please refrain from touching wall paintings, statues and others relics inside.
4.Please maintain low voice, when we are outside/inside.
5. Please always walk in a clockwise direction when you are visiting and touring religious places.
6. Please remove your Footwear, Hats Sunglass while we are entering inside the Statue as a sign of respect.
7. If you want to use washroom, please let me know. I will assist you.
8. Please watch your steps/ Mind your head.
9. Do remember to keep your mobile silent mode or switched off completely while entering monasteries and other religious places.
10. Do refrain from uttering any negative comments on the royal family, the country’s religion or the chief abbot.
11. Do not wear tight or revealing clothes while visiting religious areas as a sign of respect.
12. Do not throw garbage anywhere except at designated places.
13. Do not feed birds/ animals while visiting natural sites.

-The Utse is unique as it has 12 sides

-There are more than three hundred slate carvings of images installed by Chogyal Minjur Tenpa, the 3rd Desi of Bhutan in 1671.

-Slate carving of Chana Dorji/Vagra Dara with 7 offering bowl.

-Chamber of Zhabdrung and Jigme Namgyel.

-Wall Paintings: at the entrance to the temple hall

-Namchu Wangdhen (Monogram of ten syllables),Wheel of Life( (Bhavachakra), Four Guardian deity, Domtsen Dampi Pelri (Transmission/Translator) andThuen Pa Puenzhi (Four Harmonious Friends)

-Chenrezig Tsokhor Sum (3 forms of Avaloketeswara)

-First Chenrezig with 4 arms

-Second the Central  Figurine Chenrezig with thousand eyes and arms with eleven heads.

-And  at extreme left of the central figurine Chenrezig with two arms (Chenrezig Rangjung Khasarpani)

-White Tara and Green Tara.

-Statue Zhabdrung in  wrathful form.

-Painting of Teacher of Drukpa Kagyu

MAIN SHRINE : MIDDLE

• Central Figurine Buddha with two disciple
• Guru Rimpochen , 25th je Khenpo Sherba Gyaltshen
• Painting of 16 Arhats
• To the right and left of the Central Figurine and at the forefront are the Eight Bodhisattvas.

They include:

A.Maitrya Buddha or Gyalwa Jampa
B.Manjushri or Jampelyang
C.Vajrapani or Chhagna Dorji
D.Avaloketeswara or Chenrezig
E.Samanthabhadhra or Kuentu Zangpo
F.Kshitigarbha or Sayi Nyingpo
G.Akasha Garbha or Namkhai Nyingpo and
H.Sarvani Varana Vishkambhini or Driba Namsel

AGAIN RIGHT SIDE

• Goen khang (Sanctum dedicated to the protective deities of Bhutan)

– outside standing figures of Ap Goma (Blue face) and Ap Gyenyen (red faced).

– inside (Goem Chamdrel Sum)

– Pel Yeshey Goenpo, Jaro Dhongchen and  Pelden Lhamo.

Birth of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel’s son Jambay Dorji .

ZERO WASTE HOUR

A Monthly initiative which is observed on every 2nd day is a decent programme that aims to inculcate habit of moral responsibility by offering just an hour picking trash and keeping our surrounding clean.
The initiative, also fine-tunes our action and behaviour in being responsive towards the growing waste that the world is seeing today and how this small act can play in shaping a healthier, better and a sustainable society.
The ZERO WASTE HOUR was launched by HER MAJESTY THE GYALTSUEN on the 2ndJune 2019 coinciding with the coronation of HIS MAJESTY THE FOURTH DRUK GYALPO.