2020-06-04 Thu

Simtokha Dzong or castle monastery is built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629. It was constructed for Buddhist monastic function and administrative center. It is the oldest dzong which has survived in its original form.

Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and Queen Mayum Choying Wangmo Dorje established the Buddhist school of Linguistics in 1961. On 17 August 2019, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an official meeting and documents exchange ceremony at Simtokha Dzong. This was the first time that the monument was used as a venue for international diplomacy.

The dzong has only one entry gate from the south. The main chapel has a large image of the Buddha with 8 images of bodhisattvas on both sides. There are many dark mural paintings within this Lhakhang which are said to be the oldest in Bhutan. This monument is featured on the Bhutan currency note of 1 Ngultrum.

Image Courtesy: Indianhobbyclub.com