Lhuntse Dzong
Lhuntse Dzong | |
---|---|
Chogyal Minjur Tenpa (1654) | |
Date established | 1543 |
Lhuentse Dzong is a
The Dzong was initially known as Kurtoed in the then-isolated Lhuentse District. It is the ancestral home of the
While its geographic coordinates are in eastern Bhutan, its cultural roots are central Bhutanese. This was because before road traffic connected it to Mongar, the approach was through a trade route crossing Rodang Pass.[2][3]
Topography
The Dzong is located in the Kuri Chhu valley, which is part of the Lhuentse district.[4] The Kuri Chhu is the major river that has formed the scenic valley with high peaks and steep hills.[2] Kuri Chhu is a tributary of the Manas River system, which is the largest river of Bhutan and a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River that drains most of Eastern Bhutan.[3][5]
The road from Mongar to Lheuntse Dzong is a 3 hours drive over a distance of 74 kilometres (46 mi) and 63 kilometres (39 mi) from its junction at Gangola. The approach to this Dzong is over a flag-stone-paved path over the steep cliffs.[2][6]
History
According to one legend, Khedrup Kuenga Wangpo, son of Tertön Pema Lingpa was assigned to find a ridge resembling the trunk of an elephant.[7] He found one opposite Baeyul Khenpajong and mediated there. This location came to be known as Kurtoed Lhuentse Phodrang.
The monastery was originally established by
Architecture
The dzong contains five temples, three of which are in the central tower and are dedicated to
- 2009 earthquake damage
The dzong has suffered serious damage during
Other attractions
Khoma village, which is an hour walk from the main road to Lhuentse Dzong is famous for its intricate woven cloth made of silk called Kishuthara.
Other well known pilgrimage sites of Padmasambhava i Lhuentse Dzongkhag are Singye Dzong, the beyul Khenpajong (Wylie: mkhan pa ljongs) and Phunying Pass. Singye Dzong was founded by Yeshe Tsogyal and visited by Padmasambhava on his second visit to Bhutan, which is a three-day trek from Khoma.[3][8]
- Weaving
The weaving handicraft looms loom large in households here and the handlooms produced are very famous. This household industry is dominated by women folks who weave different types of textiles with intricate designs. The unique weaving activities involve embroidery, basket-making and kishuthara (brocade dress). Textiles products of Lhuentse are stated to be the best in the country.[3][6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Pommaret, Francoise (2006). Bhutan Himalayan Mountains Kingdom (5th ed.). Odyssey Books and Guides. pp. 257–58.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74059-529-2. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ^ a b c d e "17 Nights & 18 Days Bhutan Textile Tour". Bhutan All Seasons Tours. Archived from the original on 2010-01-15. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ^ "General Information". Lhuentse Dzongkhags. Lhuentse Dzongkhags. Archived from the original on 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ^ "Eastern Bhutan" (PDF). Lonely Planet. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ^ a b "Lhuentse". Nature Beyond. Archived from the original on 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ^ "Eastern Region (Eastern Bhutan)". Lhuentse. Ally Bhutan. Retrieved 2010-05-09.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Kuzu-Zangpo and Welcome to all Surfers!". Lhuentse Dzongkhags. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
- ^ "Situation Report Earthquakes in Bhutan, India and Myanmar" (PDF). UNDP Disaster Management Team. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
External links