Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) - Finest Example of Bhutanese Architecture

Rinpung Dzong is located on bank of Paro Chuu, 3km to the town of Paro and 6km to Paro International Airport. Owning Bhutan’s only international airport, Paro can be reached by flight easily.

Paro Airport is well-connected with Kathmandu (1 hour), Kolkata (1 hour), New Delhi (2.5 hours), Guwahati (55 minutes), Siliguri (30 minutes), Bangkok (3 hours), Singapore (5 hours) and some other cities in India in peak seasons. Most popular gateway cities are Kathmandu and Kolkata which both offer about 11 weekly flights to Paro>

Starting from airport, you can get to the small town of Paro within 15 minutes’ driving easily. As you get to Paro town, you can clearly witness the the remarkable Dzong. It takes another 15 minutes to drive there.

Rinpung Dzong Location Map

There is a wide-spreading story telling the origin of Rinpung Dzong. In the history, Gyechok (one grandson of Phajo Drugom Zhingpo) traveled to Tibet to study theology. When he came back, he was expelled by his family. He moved to Humrel in Paro Valley and settled down there. Many local deities were summoned by Gyechok and pledged their allegiance to Gyechok. Only one malignant deity called Drelpo Jika still hurt the local people and plundered their properties. In order to protect the properties of villagers, Gyechok subdued him and make the village free of any evils. The villagers asked Gyechok to stay there and decided to build a palace for him. Then, Paro Dzong was constructed by the villagers and the disciples of Gyechok. In 1645, Gyelchok’s disciples recognized Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel’s Buddhist power and majesty, so they relinquished Rinpung Dzong to him. In the next year, Rinpung Dzong underwent expansion to a superior fortress. Some of the relics and buildings were destroyed by the fire in 1907, but now they are all renovated according to its original appearance.

Image of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel

The reasons why Rinpung Dzong is so attractive is that it has great architectures and the treasure artworks (murals, statues and carvings) dating back to centuries ago. The Dzong is amazingly majestic in appearance and architecture. Lots of the wall paintings relay the mysterious stories of long past. The woodworks painted in bright color always make this place warm as well.

Just like any other traditional Dzongs in Bhutan (except for Punakha Dzong), Paro Dzong can is made up of two parts - the front administrative offices and the rear area for Monastic Body. The administrative section is about 6 meters higher than the monastic quarter.

Entering the dzong from northeastern entrance, you can get to the courtyard on the 3rd storey. The inside central tower has five stories and built in 1649. In the east of the tower, there is a delicate Lhakhang dedicated to Chuchizhey, a manifestation of Chenresig with 11 heads. Here you can also enjoy the exquisite wooden carving with golden or black color. The monastic quarter is able to accommodate nearly 200 monks. In the southeast corner, you can see a featured mandala with Bhutanese variation. The prayer hall opposite has pretty murals which describe the life of Milarepa (a Tibetan poet-saint).

Bhutan National Museum

According to Bhutanese tradition, dzongs are always built on a hill top or mountain spur. If it was built on the side of the valley wall, a smaller dzong or watchtower would be constructed in the purpose of providing a high and safe place from which a guard can observe the main dzong and surrounding area. At the top of the valley above Rinpung Dzong, you can see a round watchtower which houses National Museum of Bhutan now. It is said that an underground tunnel lead from the watchtower to the water supply below.

There is a large collection of displays in the five galleries, which give a great insight into the cultural and natural treasures of Bhutan. The interesting festival masks cherished in the first gallery are used in various religious dances. You can also learn about the different qualities the animals symbolize. In the second gallery, you can find many delicate thangkas which tell the about Bhutan’s important masters and saints. In the third gallery, there are many statues of gods sculpted by the eminent sculptors in the world. The fourth gallery displays the vivid statues of many rare animals. You must be amazed by the model of the Tiger’s Nest in the fifth gallery.

Most Popular Bhutan Tours

Spectacular Buildings in Rinpung Dzong

Colorful Painted Wall

Bhutan National Museum

Tshechu is Bhutan’s most dramatic religious festival dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. Paro Tshechu can be traced back to 17th century when Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel initiated Paro Tshechu festival together with the consecration of Rinpung Dzong. It takes place from the 10th to the 14th of the second month in Bhutanese calendar.

During Tshechu Festival, people far from the surrounding district will be drawn to Rinpung Dzong to proclaim their beliefs and receive blessings. They always wear their finest jewelries and traditional clothes, male on gho and femal on kira. More than a religious festival to celebrate, Tshechu is also an important social event. People are able to enjoy a reunion with their family, friends and relatives, and sharing their stories to each other. The wonderful ritual dances will be performed by masked robed dancers in the courtyard of Rinpung Dzong. You can fully feel the happy (instead of solemn and serene) atmosphere in Rinpung Dzong. Traditionally, everyone could take part in the last dances called Tashi Lebey which concludes all the performances. Just feel free to follow other people and join the dance.

The highlight of Tshechu comes in the last day when a huge embroidered thangka will be unfurled in Rinpung Dzong before sunrise. This gigantic thangka made by silk and cotton is honored as the largest and finest artwork in Bhutan. In the thangka, you can see the images of Guru Rinpoche and his two wives. Bhutanese call this thangka as thondrols which means liberation on sights. In their faith, viewing this impressive relic will wash away one’s sins.

If you are interested attending Paro Tshechu Festival, feel free to contact us to customize a special tour with this wonderful festival. Or check our 7 Days Thimphu Tshechu Festival Tour to enjoy the wonderful festival of the capital of Bhutan.

Interesting Dancing in Paro Tshechu

Gigantic Thangka Exhibition