Simtokha Dzong

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal had built the Simtokha Dzong which is located about 5 km south of Thimphu in a chill atmospheric region. The monastery was built mainly to guard a demon, so the name Simtokha originated from simmo (demoness) and do (stone). These location is meant for protecting the Thimphu valley and is one of the entry way to the Dochu La and eastern Bhutan. It is first oldest Dzong build in Bhutan known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras) which facilitates both monastic and administrative body. The description of the fact about the Simtokha Dzong were provided by the two Portuguese Jesuit priests who visited these monastery in 1629 on their way to Tibet.

Today, The Dzong houses the head of Lama’s chamber, the Enemy Dzong (a chamber to store weapons), a storeroom, and the monastic school. 500 meters above the Dzong one can see the ruins of the Ta Dzong (watch tower). To the left of the Dzong, about 100 meters away is a water fortress (Chu Dzong) which today is used as a prayer hall for the students. In front of the Dzong, to the right is a crematorium. At the junction of the highway, there is a Chorten, which dates back to Zhabdrung’s time. These monastery has been expanded and repaired mostly by a team of Japanese architects. And the paintings inside the temple are one of most oldest and charming in Bhutan.