Bhutan Heritage Gangtoe Lhakhang Bhutan Heritage Paro Dzong and Ugyen Pelri Palace in Paro

The royal government of Bhutan has already been spent more than Nu 22 million in the preparations to renovate the 451-year old Gangtoe Lhakhang, the most important seat of the Peling tradition of Buddhism in western Bhutan. The renovation, expected to take about three years. After the renovation is completed a mithub (fire proof room) will be constructed on the ground floor to store all the precious nangtens of the goenpa. The renovation will help preserve a very sacred religious monument, which has played an important role in the evolution of Bhutanese culture, religious history and, more specifically, the Peling tradition of Buddhism.

According to legend, Pema Lingpa visited Phobjikha on his way back from Bumthang. While conferring blessings for the people in present day Gangtoe he prophesized, facing the hillock where the Goenpa stands today, that one of his incarnations would establish a monastery on the hillock for the propagation of the Peling sect. The mound was named Gangtoe Sanga Choling, meaning the "Mound of the Sanga sect".

Following the prophecy, Pema Lingpa's first incarnation, Gyalse Pema Thinley, built a small temple on the mound. The second incarnation, Tenzin Lekpai Dhendup, built the present monastery in 1613. Containing many ancient and rare spiritual relics, the ground floor of the monastery is known for its eight great pillars. It houses the Dukhang (prayer hall) and the statues of Sangay Rabduen (the Seven Buddhas). The Goenkhang is located in the middle floor. The top floor contains the Guru Tshengye (the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche) Lhakhang, the Machen Lhakhang, the Lam Lhakhang and the Tshepagme Lhakhang. At the 12 corners of the monastery are the images of 80 renowned saints, 25 disciples of Guru Rinpoche, 21 Taras and Neyten Chudru (16 Arhats), all carved on slates. Gangtoe Goemba has a large collection of Peling lineage thangkas and also one of the most beautiful and exquisite Neyten Chudru thangkas in the whole of Bhutan.

The Nyungney Lhakhang at the top of the main entrance to the monastery was built by the eighth Gangtoe Trulku, Thinlay Dorji. The double-story Utse contains the Purdung Chorten of Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second Gangtoe Trulku.Today, the lhakhang houses a Shedra, a Gomdey and a Drubdey. Started in 1986 by the present Gangtoe Trulku with the support of the royal government, the Shedra, known as Dhonga Thoe-sam, offers a nine-year course in Buddhist studies. The Drubdey was started in 1990 by the 68th Je Khenpo, His Holiness Tenzin Dhendup, with financial support from the government.

Ugyen Pelri Palace in Paro Paro Valley is one of the most populated area in the country. Because of its proximity to the airport, there are hotels and tourist amenities close by. The Paro Valley contains a wealth of attractions and requires a few days to be properly explored. Casting a shadow across the town of Paro and controlling all secular and religious activities in its valley is the elegant and perfectly symmetrical Rinpung Dzong. It is a fortress situated on a knoll across the Paro Chu river with acommanding view of the Paro valley.

The Rinpung Dzong built during the 17th century, which is now used as an administration center and school for monks. Behind Rinpung Dzong, on the high hillside, is the castle shaped Ta Dzong. Once a watch tower built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars in the 17th Century, Ta Dzong has housed the nations heritage in Bhutan's National Museum since 1967.

Paro Dzong and Ta-Dzong Fort in Paro The museum provides an excellent way to pass an afternoon and its circular shape augments its varied collection. The Ta Dzong Fort which displays antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and a very interesting collection of postage stamps. Ugyen Pelri Palace is in a seculuded wooded compound on the south side of the Paro Chhu (river). The palace was built by a Paro penlop in the early 1900s.

The palace is now a residence of the Queen's mother. On the roadside besideUgyen Pelri Palace are five square chortens.