As we enter the Tashi Dzong crunchy Red maple leaves greet us with a welcome dance as they sway in the cool breeze. The long rows of roses line up the walls of the Dzong and are a delightful treat to eyes.
Tashi Dzong or the (temple of goddess rain) is said to be a very important place in Thimphu. It has historical, political as well as religious relevance. The Dzongs were generally built as a place of protection from invaders, but now this is a place of religious learning as well as for public administration and housed a lot of offices in its premises. The palace of the Bhutanese king and queen is also a stone throw distance away from here.
The artwork of Dzong is unique, it was told to us that the carpenter did not use any nails to create these huge structures. They are created by interlocking pieces of wood. We were left marvelling...
The walls are wooden with relief work and colourful paints... seem to have borrowed abundantly from Chinese and Tibetan art and of course it has its own unique character.
Photography is strictly not allowed in the Dzong and as you enter the inner portion of the temple it is mandatory to remove all caps, hats and shoes and locals wear a white shawl. To our surprise, you are allotted different colours of Chawla for wearing in the Dzong based on your social position. While commoners wear white and royalty yellow, other people are allotted other colours like orange ( ministers), blue and green (judges) based on their social status.
Dzong is also special because this was the Place where the constitution of bhutan was Written and signed when Bhutan decided to become a democratic country in 2008.
100000 Buddha small statues along with a huge Buddha lead you into a mesmerising trance like state. A spiritual treat for those who genuinely care!!!
Text by Aarefa Faridoon
Pics by Faridoon Shahryar
#Thimphu
#Bhutan
#FaridoonInBhutan
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