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National Museum of Bhutan |
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About National Museum of Bhutan
After the advent of modernism in the country the Royal Government of Bhutan, with an aim to showcase the country's rich culture and traditions, initiated the idea to introduce a museum for the first time and in 1968 the watchtower above Paro Dzong was chosen to initially house a modest collection of murals, numismatics, philately, etc.
Over the years, after much renovation the museum accumulated more and more objects from different parts of the country and is today a storehouse of Bhutan's cultural and traditional treasures. With over thirteen galleries, each holding exhibits from different periods and places in the country, the National Museum of Bhutan takes pride in its effort to educate its visitors, be they local or foreign, about the country's cultural history that date back to as early as 2000 B.C and its metamorphism over the ages into what it is today. After more than three decades, the museum has established itself not only as a huge tourist attraction but also as an institution of learning for both scholars and visitors; considering the history of the building, the National Museum of Bhutan can rightly be termed as a 'museum within a museum'.
HISTORY OF WATCH TOWER (Ta-Dzong)
The cylindrical building was built in 1641 AD. by Desi Tenzin Drukda, the then Governor of Paro, as a watchtower to look over the Paro Dzong in case of invasions from the north. As was the situation in those days, invasions were occasional and the Dzong, which was the center of administration in the state, needed to be overlooked by such towers to look out for invaders. The unique structure has six floors that go spiraling down from the top. During the olden days the building not only housed soldiers but also prisoners of war, mostly invaders.
Museum shop
Items for sale at the museum premises are limited to only books and post cards, which can be procured at the ticket counter. The museum proposes to open a separate house from where visitors can purchase items/replicas of the objects that can be seen inside the museum. It is indeed a deep regret that the proposed plan has been prolonged due to other projects that up most of the finances and manpower but the idea is not far in its implementation.
National Museum Floor
6th Floor: Galleries of Philately of Bhutan, photoplates of dzongs, Thangkas and Chapel of the Three Dimensional Mandala (Tshogshing).
5th Floor: Galleries of Medieval Bhutan (11th to 15th Century), Thangkas, bronzes, slate carvings and Chapel of the Wealth Deity (Namsey).
4th Floor: Galleries of Pre-History and early history of Bhutan, Life and Legacy of Pema Lingpa and Pha Drung Drung, Costumes of Regional dancers, Manuscripts, Images and Arms and Armour.
3rd Floor: Galleries of ancient tea pots, wine conatiners, jewelry, numismatics, evolution of men and women’s dresses, tribal dresses, charm boxes, wooden cups and personalia gallery of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
2nd Floor: Galleries of natural History and Buddhist ritual objects.
1st Floor: Galleries of cane and bamboo containers, urns, horn containers and farming appliances.
Ground Floor: Galleries of ancient arms, urns, bronze and copper vessels, epigraph and wooden containers.
Museum Galleries
Tshogshing
Situated on the topmost floor of the building, the Tshogshing lhakhang or the 'Tree of Life' is a three-dimensional mandala consisting of the four major schools of Buddhism in the country. It is adorned with all the deities of each respective school starting with the Dagpo Kagyud school in the south, the Nyingma school in the west, the Glugpa school in the north and the Drukpa Kagyud school, which is the state religion, in the east. The intricately shaped objects are contemporary of Bhutanese clay work and were made by the clay master Damchoe from Hephu in Paro along with his team.
Philately
Surrounding the chapel of the Tshogshing is a rich collection of Bhutanese stamps that were issued by the country's postal service to commemorate important events, places and people. Renowned for its beauty, Bhutan's stamps are a collector's dream come true. A unique stamp can be found which plays the country's national anthem when opened and is one of a kind in the world.
Namsey Lhakhang
Situated on the fifth floor is the chapel of the God of Wealth, Kubera (Namsey). The main figure is surrounded by many small icons and slate carvings on the walls around it. The God is Flanked by his eight manifestations who face the four different cardinal directions Worshippers believe that praying to this God brings forth wealth and prosperity in this life and the next.
Thangka paintings
On the same floor just outside the Namsey chapel is an exhibition of scroll paintings that were originally used for both ceremonial and ritual purposes. These paintings are considered to be a great work of art in Asia as it is a very tedious procedure requiring skill and perseverance. Buddhists believe these paintings to be embodiments of wisdom.
Prehistoric and religious items
On the fourth floor where the entrance is situated is a small collection of prehistoric items ranging from adzes to earthenware collected from different parts of the country. The items on display do not present much to the eye but to historians they are an important source of information regarding the existence of people in the country since the later Stone Age. Displayed on the same floor are religious items from the time when Buddhism was first introduced in the country; items like magic daggers, swords and other such holy items.
Numismatic and jewelry
The other part of the floor showcases a collection of jewelry and numismatics from the olden days. The exhibits range from small coins to huge amulets and were items of both religious importance and fashion. It is interesting to note that some of the jewelry serves dual purposes, i.e. for holding cloaks together and as weapon when ambushed by enemies.
Gallery on Zhabdrung's era
On the same floor lies an entrance to a chapel-like room that exhibits the photos of the earliest Dzongs built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the nation-founder. The gallery showcases the set of rules made by Zhabdrung proclaiming his supremacy over the Bhutanese people among others.
Natural history
Coming downstairs to the third floor one finds trophies of the national animal, Takin, buffaloes, butterflies, birds,..etc. Although most of the animals are not a rare sight for the visitors, few enchant the eyes of natural history buffs. For instance the Bhutan Glory is the only species of Butterfly in the world to be found in the country. Other animals like the Takin are also interesting to observe.
Bamboo and cane products
The second floor, which is situated below the natural history gallery, has on display a small collection of cane products ranging from hats to wine containers. An art that is mostly prevalent in the central and eastern parts of the country, cane products are very popular among the Bhutanese society. It is not uncommon to come across households using such products to serve food in.
Arms and armour
This gallery exhibits both modern and traditional weapons which include guns, cannons, swords, bow and arrows,..etc. The guns that are seen in the first room of the gallery were mostly gifted by foreign diplomats to the third and fourth kings of Bhutan to commemorate their respective coronations. Among others there are traditional weapons of war ranging from the unlikeliest of guns to helmets made of fish scales.
Pots and vessels
Towards the exit a number of huge vessels flank the walls. Used mostly to store water or cook food for huge gatherings these vessels were owned by rich families in the past and are an example of Bhutanese blacksmithy that made do without the use of any advanced technology.
(Courtesy: www.nationalmuseum.gov.bt)
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Taktshang Goemba |
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Taktshang (Tiger Nest) Goemba
Taktshang is the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the floor of Paro valley, where the only sounds are the murmurs of wind and water and chanting of monks. The name means ‘tiger’s nest’; the Guru is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress. He then meditated in a cave here for three months.
On the 19 April 1998 a fire destroyed the main structure of Taktshang and all its contents. It had already suffered a previous fire and was repaired in 1951. Reconstruction started on an auspicious day in April 2000 and authentic replicas of the original structures have been built.
The site has long been recognized as a holy place. It was visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646 and pilgrims from all over Bhutan come here. Milarepa is also said to have meditated here, while Tangtong Gyalpo revealed a terma (treasure text) at Taktshang. The primary Lhakhang was bilt in 1692 around the Dubkhang (also called the Pelphug), the holy cave in which Guru Rinpoche meditated, by the Penlop of Paro, Desi Tenzin Rabye. There are several other buildings in the complex. Phoebu Lhakhang contains a phorbu, the three-bladed ritual dagger used to stab demons. Above the main temple complex is Ugyen Tshemo Lhakhang and higher still is another goemba, named Zangto Pelri after Guru Rinpoches’s heavenly abode.
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Drukgyel Dzong |
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About Drukgyel Dzong
At the end of the road, 14km from Paro, stand the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. This dzong was built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in a location chosen for its control of the route to Tibet. The dzong was named ‘Druk’ (Bhutan) ‘gyel’ (victory) to commemorate the victory of Bhutan over invaders in 1644.
One of the features of the dzong was a false entrance that was designed to lure invaders into an enclosed courtyard. This is said to have worked successfully during the attack by invaders in 1648.
The dzong sits at the point where the trail from Tibet via the Tremo la enters the Paro valley. On a clear day there is a spectacular view of Jhomolhari from the area near the dzong.
You can walk up a short path into the front courtyard of the dzong. On the way up you can see the remains of the large towers and the tunnel that was used to obtain water from the stream below during a long siege.
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Druk Choeding Lhakhang |
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About Druk Choeding Lhakhang
Also known as Tshongdoe Naktsang, Druk Choeding is the town temple. It was built in 1525 by Zhabdrung Chhogyel (1465-1540), one of the prince-abbots of Ralung in Tibet and an ancestor of the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
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Dungtse Lhakhang |
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About Dungtse Lhakhang
To the west of the road is Dungtse Lhakhang, a chorten-like temple. This unusual building was built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo. It has three floors representing hell, earth and heaven and the paintings inside are said to be some of the best in Bhutan.
Beyond Dungtse Lhakhang, to the east of the road, the tiny Pana Lhakhang is quite old and is believed to have been built in the seventh century.
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Kyichu Lhakhang |
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About Kyichu Lhakhang
A short distance south of the road is Kyichu Lhakhang. This temple is said to have been built in 659 by king Songtsen Gampo of Tibet.
The original building was rebuilt after a fire with a large statue of Sakyumuni as the central figure. Additional buildings were constructed in 1839 by the Penlop of Paro (governor) and the 25th Je-khenpo (religious abbot). A large statue of Chenrizig with 11 heads and 1000 hands and 1000 eyes was built at that time, as well as a golden roof.
The queen mother, Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, sponsored the construction of a new temple in 1968. This Lhakhang contains a 5m-high statue of Guru Rinpoche and another of Tara, who represents one of the wives of King Songtsen Gampo. There is also a statue of the iron bridge builder, Thangtong Gyalpo and another of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a revered Nyingma Buddhist master who passed away in 1992.
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Ugyen Pelri Palace |
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About Ugyen Pelri Palace
Ugyen Pelri Palace is in a secluded wooded compound on the south side of the river just west of the Dzong. This Palace was built by the Paro Penlop, Tsering Penjor, in the early 1900s. It is designed after Guru Rinpoche’s celestial paradise, Zangto Pelri, and is one of the most beautiful examples of Bhutanese architecture.
(Courtesy: Bhutan, Lonely Planet by Stan Armington)
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