Jakar Dzong

The Jakar dzong (monastery) has an official name Yuelay Namgyal Dzong originated after the victory from the troops of Tibetan ruler Phuntsho Namgyal. It was built in 1549 by the Tibetan Lam(saint) Nagi Wangchuk acting as defense of the whole eastern Dzongkhags. The Dzong was known for being seat of the first king of Bhutan. The Zhabdrung’s (Tibetan master) great-grandfather, Ngagi Wangchuck was the founder of the monastery which made this monastery distinct from any other monastery.

The central tower of the monastery is approximately fifty meter high which makes it distinct from most other monastery in the country. Legends believed that in 1549 when the great saints gathered for selecting the site for constructing the monastery, a huge white bird rose all of sudden in the air and settled on a limb of a hill. They believed it to be a good omen and chose the site for building the monastery. The direct transaction of Jakar is ‘castle of the white bird’. The name originated from the great saints who chose this site for monastery.
The footpath towards the monastery is paved with stone and approximately 1500 m is the circumference of the monastery. From behind the dzong you can clearly see the Ta dzong (watch tower). You can see the calm environment of Chokhor valley from the front courtyard even if the monastery is closed. The Chokhor valley is a one street town with plenty of restaurants and handicraft shops. The specialty of the place is a hard, chewy dried cheese snack popularly known as chugo among the Bhutanese is commonly available.