Zhemgang Dzong: A Historical Landmark in Bhutan and Lam Zhang

• Zhemgang Dzong was founded by Lama Zhang Dorje Drakpa in the 12th century.
• Located on a ridge rising from the Mangde Chhu, the dzong faces the village of Trong and Zhemgang town.
• Lama Zhang was a scholar-sage of the Drukpa Kagyu school of Buddhism who came from Tibet and settled in Zhemgang in 1163.
• He established a hermitage on the site where Zhemgang Dzong now stands.
History and Significance:
• In 1655 CE, a single-storey dzong was built on the hermitage to protect against invasions led by the Choetse Penlop.
• The region, now called Zhemgang, was originally known as ‘Shemgang’ and is still referred to as ‘Kheng’ by locals.
• The ancient name of Zhemgang is Khenrig Namsung, representing the three divisions of Kheng: Upper (Chikhor), Middle (Namkor), and Lower (Tamachok) Kheng.
• The dzong symbolizes the unification of these three divisions.
Religious and Cultural Significance:
• Zhemgang Dzong is dedicated to Lam Zhang and contains six sacred Lhakhangs:
1. Goenkhang - Considered the most sacred, believed to be built by Lam Zhang himself.
2. Lamai Goenkhang
3. Naib Lhakhang - Dedicated to Dorji Rabten, the dzong’s protector deity.
4. Guru Lhakhang
5. Mithrub Lhakhang
6. Kuenrey Lhakhang
• According to local legend, a mythical half-human, half-bull creature called Lango plotted against and killed Lam Zhang. This event is said to have cursed Trong village where the assassination took place.
Cultural Relics:
• Despite two fires that destroyed much of the dzong’s history, a gold-plated six-inch image of Lam Zhang in the Goenkhang survived.
Modern Developments:
• In 1963, Zhemgang became a separate district and the dzong was renovated by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who renamed it Dechen Yangtse or Druk Dechen Yangtse Dzong.
• The district administration moved to a new building in the mid-1980s.
images source: google