Simtokha Dzong
A modest dzong, Simtokha Dzong (the word “dzong” means “castle-monastery”) is also called Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (meaning “Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras” in Bhutanese). It is located in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. After uniting Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal constructed it in 1628. It is the first construction of its kind in Bhutan. Once a Buddhist monastery and significant historical site, it now serves as home to one of the top Dzongkha language schools. Renovations were recently completed on it.
Situated on a prominent ridge with views of the Thimphu valley and the approach routes to the Dochula Pass and eastern Bhutan, the dzong is in a highly secure situation. The distance between the Simtokha and Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is roughly 5 km (3.1 mi). The Dzong’s position is quite significant. The current location of the dzong is shared by three important western regions: Wang (Thimphu), Sha (Wangduephodrang), and Pa (Paro).
The dzong, which is only 60 m2 (650 sq ft) in size, used to have a single entrance gate on the west, but now it is only accessible from the south. The three-story dzong has prayer wheels covering its outside at the lowest level, where 300 slate carvings depicting saints and philosophers are also located. Eight bodhisattvas are depicted on either side of a sizable figure of th e Sakyamuni (Buddha) that dominates the main lhakhang (chapel). This lakhang has numerous eerie mural murals that are reputed to be among Bhutan’s oldest. Images of Chenresig, green and white Taras (identified as both green and white) can be found in the chapel to the west of the main Lhakahan.Additionally, there is an antiquated portrait of the dzong’s founder, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, which was restored in 1995 but still has flaws. The weapons and tiger tails can also be observed on the eastern goenkhang’s pillars. The Bhutanese protector deities, Pelden Lhamo and Yeshe Goennpo (Mahakala), have chapels dedicated to them.
The cosmic mandala in the dzong is unique among the Himlayan mural paintings of the Himalayas. The roof of the assembly hall, or Tshogdu, is decorated with a circle surrounded by yellow concentric squares that resemble mountain ranges. It is unique because the circles inside are painted in multiple colors, each of which stands for one of the twelve months of the year. In addition to depicting moons, the sun’s path is depicted as an elliptical line drawn in a brick red color.
