Rinpung Dzong
Sonam Dendup • May 20, 2020
The Fortress of Heaped Jewel
The majestic Rinpung Dzong or the Fortress of Heaped Jewels is located along the Paro river gathering attention and admiration from every corner of the valley. Like all the Dzongs in the country, the Rinpung Dzong houses the administrative offices along side the district monastic body, i.e. the monks, their living quarters and learning centers.
Inside the Dzong there are many temples depicting stories of important Buddhist saints, and aside from many important religious scriptures and artifacts the Dzong houses the Thongdrel, a huge 20x20 meter wide applique (ornamental needlework in silk) of Guru Padmasambhava (the patron saint of Buddhism in Bhutan), his two spiritual consorts, his eight manifestations, few more Buddhist saints and lastly of the image of Lam Ngawang Rabgay who constructed this masterpiece of a Thongdrel. This Thongdrel is displayed once a year and only for a few hours before sunrise as the rays of the sun are not supposed to fall on the Thongdrel. Thongdrel literally translates to ‘liberation by sight’ and is believed that one is purged of sins just by gazing at it. The Thongdrel is displayed on the last day of the Paro Festival which is a major tourist attraction event in Bhutan. The Paro Tshechu is a 5 days festival of colorful masked dances and traditional folk songs and dances held at the outside courtyard of the Dzong usually in the Spring which is one of the most beautiful times to visit Bhutan.
The beautiful view of the wide Paro valley with its paddy fields and Pa Chhu (Paro river) from the Dzong is spectacular and a good vantage point to take panoramic pictures of the valley. However, the Dzong along with the traditional cantilever bridge and the Museum (above the Dzong) illuminated by floodlights make for impressive night photography.
The Rinpung Dzong is featured in Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1993 Hollywood movie ‘Little Buddha’ starring Keanu Reeves as a young Buddha; and one of Hongkong’s leading entertainment couple, actors Tony Leung and Carina Lau who got married in Bhutan chose the Dzong as an exclusive spot for their wedding photos.
Through this undisturbed tropical, sub-tropical and Alpine regions of virgin forests, waterfalls and lakes, highland nomadic villages, undisturbed nature and views of the Greater Himalayas and Snow Capped Peaks, Bhutan offers some of the best trekking experiences all year round.
The view from there is the panoramic sight of almost all the tallest Himalayan Mountain of Bhutan like majestic Gangkar Puensum, formidable Table Mountain and Tiger Mountain. As it is located at the top, the view of the Himalayan ranges is better than anywhere in the area, even as compared to famous Dochula Pass.
For Bhutanese, Gross National Happiness means a good government that creates an enabling environment for people to pursue happiness in a meaningful way. The result is a country at peace with itself, and people at peace with themselves!
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Clinging on a huge rock towards the north end of the Tang valley lies the Thowa Drak Hermitage just like the famed Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro. From the valley or road point it is a stiff 3 hours hike uphill through the serene and peaceful forest. Sweeping views of the Tang valley and the landscape can be enjoyed along the way with a bird’s eye view from the main site.
A quick visit to the Swiss Cheese Factory and Brewery is a refreshing alternative after visiting many temples and religious sites in the Bumthang valley. The Factory was started in the late 1960’s by a Swiss national Mr Fritz Maurer who visited Bhutan and settled in Bumthang.