Ruins of Tsenkhar Dzong
Tsenkharla erects on hilltop among many valleys
in Trashi Yangtse and the place serves as watch tower to three over-looking
valleys (Tawang, Ramjar and Tomijangsa). The ruin is situated just few kilometers above the School under Khamdang Gewog. Paying visit to the place, one would spot
notable ruins which holds typical yet fascinating history besides a scenic view. It is considered as one of the oldest Dzongs to have been built in Bhutan by a great legend.
Historically,
arrival of exiled Tibetan prince Tsangma can be traced by dating the ruins of
fortress. Legends has it say that divine
prince Lhasey Tsangma was the grandson of great Tibetan king Thrisong Deutson
and brother of Langdarma. Prince Tsangma was one of the early themes of the
history of Bhutan for he travelled across the country leaving many revered
legacies.
He finally settled at Jamkhar by building a
castle and the ruin is still visible at present day. It is customary for prince
to build castles wherever he resides even for shortest duration and thus, his inhabitants
became vibrant down the line. After some years, he left Jamkhar realizing the
place Mi Zimpa’s proximity to submerge under rising water level. He then
travelled towards hilltop along with families crossing small village and the
chain linked bridge built by Saint Thangtong Gyalpo (Iron bridge builder) which
was then named as Rogdosum (Doksum). Therefore, he fled uphill towards
Tsenkharla with his wife and a dog. Upon reaching to his destined place he again built a castle and named as 'Tsenkharla'; literally ‘Tsen’ means king and ‘Khar’ refers to fortress. The
place is located high ridge above meandering Khulongchu. The structure of
fortress consists of substantial surrounding wall with two inset windows and
the construction is of stone with supporting beams. The ruins are still visible
and surrounding, it, on can come across the stacks of stones and the remnants
of settlements. A
visit to the ruins will give awe-inspiring glimpse of ancient Bhutan.
No comments:
Post a Comment