 |
| Chorten in courtyard of the Paro Rinpong Dzong
Thursday, February 23 Bhutan
Yesterday we visited the Paro Rinpong Dzong, a combination fort and monastery and official administrative center for the region. The district administrative offices are on the left side of the building, and the monastic functions are toward the right and front. It's architecture is typical of Bhutanese style, with white walls and wood carvings painted red and many other colors. It was built in the 1600's on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche (credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan). The valley community used the fort to protect itself from invasions by Tibet.
The dzong is built on a steep hillside, with a courtyard for the administrative section, a central tower that is 5 stories high, and a courtyard for the monastic section. It includes offices, temples, training areas for the monks, monks quarters, etc. There are currently about 200 monks who live here. Below the fort, there is a wooden covered bridge that crosses the Paro Chhu river. The bridge has been reconstructed, as it was washed away in a flood in 1969. In times of war, the bridge could be removed to protect the fort and inhibit invaders from crossing the river. |
 |
| This fort, with it's 5 story central tower, served to protect the valley - at the hilltop is a 7 sided watch tower |
 |
| Our guide, Dorji, demonstrates how men should wear their scarf - you can tell what job a man has by the color of his scarf. |
 |
| Central courtyard (dochey), with a 5 story central tower (utze) |
 |
| In the evening, we heard a great talk on how Bhutan is working to protect it's remaining wild tigers |
 |
| Prayer wheels line the walls of the central tower (itze) |
 |
| Stairway from the higher courtyard in the administrative section, to the lower courtyard in the monastic section |
 |
| Well worn stairs in the monastic living quarters section |
 |
| View to the west from fort's ramparts. House in left foreground belongs to current King's grandmother |
 |
| View to east from fort's ramparts - covered bridge across the Paro Chhu River |
 |
| Covered bridge |
 |
| Buddhist wheel of life with 6 levels of exhistance |
 |
| Paintings over Buddhist monks quarter - letters on wood blocks signify "Om" according to our guide |
 |
| About 200 monks live in these quarters in this section of the dzong |
 |
| Representation of the Four Friends (Rooster, Rabbit, Monkey and Elephant) - need all four to cooperate together to have a healthy tree of life |
 |
| Close up view of cantilevered covered bridge - rebuilt after flood in 1960's |
No comments:
Post a Comment