About Dzong (Fortress) of Bhutan

Dzong's (Fortress) of Bhutan

The word "Dzong" loosely translated mean a fortress. For over three hundred years they have served as an effective defence against any attack or invasion. That is why, they were built mostly on mountains spurs overlooking and commanding the whole valley below. They were often surrounded by watch towers and observation posts situated higher up the hillsides. The Dzong today serve the function of both administrative center and a monastery.

Dzongs were first built in Bhutan in the twelfth century by La, Gyalwa Lhanangpa, an important leader of the Lhapa Kagyu. Do Ngon Dzong (Blue Stone Dzong) where Dechen Phodrang stands today was built by him. It was only from the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in he seventeenth century that the Dzong played a significant role in the history of Bhutan.They not only served as an effective defence but also became the centers of religious and cultural activities and the seat of civil authority.

Today the major Dzongs are the seats of district administrations. They house the offices of the civil authority headed by the Dzongda and district court headed by the Thrimpons.

GASA DZONG

Gasa is most famous for its Layap people, and for the Snowman Trek, one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas. Gasa is bordered by Tibet to the north and by Thimphu, Punakha, and Wangdue Phodrang dzongkhags to the south. Gasa is divided into four gewogs:

* Goenkhamae Gewog
* Goenkaatoe Gewog
* Laya Gewog
* Lunana Gewog

National Council from Gasa

Formally, Gasa was a dungkhag under Punakha dzongkhag and it was made a separate dzongkhag at the beginning of the 7 th plan in 1992. It consists of four Geogs – Goenkhatoe, Goenkhamae, Laya and Lunana. Gasa lies on the old trade route to Tibet. The Gasa people take pride in the fact that the Zhabdrung entered Bhutan through Gasa and there are many sacred places and artifacts revered as being blessed by his presence and association. In fact, the map for the Geog as drawn by the community use landform associated with the Zhabdrung as reference point. For instance, the Phulakha (pass in the north) is where it is believed that the people of Gasa made their first offerings to the Zhabdrung who had camped there on his way into Bhutan.

Samdrup Jongkhar Dzong

The Dzongkhag has eight Community Schools, seven Primary Schools, six Junior High Schools and one High School with a total of students of 6,995 as of December 2001.
Samdrup Jongkhar is the gateway to and commercial hub for five Eastern dzongkhags. The dzongkhag’s potential is further enhanced by the commissioning of Kurichu hydropower. Availability of reliable hydropower combined with modern Telecom facilities will change the development landscape of the dzongkhag by offering tremendous opportunities for household, business and industries. Lack of adequate road network also has direct impact on socio-economic development and quality of lives of the people in the dzongkhag.

Trashiyangtse Dzong

Trashiyangtse was a Dungkhag under the administration of Trashigang Dzongkhag till 1992. It was created as a separate full fledged Dzongkhag co-inciding with the start of the seventh plan in 1992. The Dzongkhag has eight geogs namely Bumdeling, Jamkhar, Khamdang, Ramjar, Tomzhangtshen, Trashiyangtse, Toetsho, and Yalang with 117 villages and 3489 households..

Two and half five-year development plans have brought about manifold socio-economic changes in the lives of the people in the Dzongkhag. As of first half of 2006 (4th year of 9th Five Year Plan) the Dzongkhag has one Higher Secondary School, one Middle Secondary School, four Lower Secondary Schools, twenty two community primary Schools, one Hospital, seven Basic Health Units (BHU), eight Renewable Natural Resources (RNR-EC) Extension Centers, one Institute for Zorig Chusum and a 40 KM black topped road. Over 70% of the households have access to piped drinking water supply.

Trashigang Dzong

This dzong, or fortress, was built in 1659 by the third Druk Desi to defend against Tibetan invaders. Because of its altitude invading armies remarked that “it is not a dzong on the ground, it is in the sky”. Now it became the seat of successive Trashigang Dzongpoens who were called the Trashigangpas. Today the Dzong is the headquarters of the Trashigang Dzongkhag