Simtokha Dzong.

Ø  LOCATION

Ø  It is built on a projecting point with deep gullies separating from the main hill.

Ø  Its tactical position overlooks and commands the entire Thimphu valley.

Ø  It is five kilometers south of Thimphu town, on the road to the Paro- Phuentsholing highway. 

Ø  History of the dzong

Ø  To unite his newly acquired area in western Bhutan and to defend himself from both internal force and external enemies he started constructing dzongs, beginning with the Simtokha Dzong.

Ø  Officially known as "Sanga Zabdon Phodrang" (Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras), Simtokha Dzong was built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Ø  It is often said to be the first dzong built in Bhutan. It is the oldest dzong that has survived as a complete structure, and is the first structure that incorporated both monastic and administrative facilities.

Ø  Since 1961 it has been the home of a rigney (religious and classical studies) school

Ø  The location of the Dzong has a great historical significance.

Ø  The present place where the dzong stand is at the boundary common to three western regions: Sha(Wangdiphodrang), Wang(Thimphu), Pa(Paro).

Ø  The intersection was marked by three stones  which belonged to the people of Sha, Wang and paro. Surrounded by these three stones was a piece of land known as Sem-tokha or sem-dokha with a temple built on it. 

Ø  The temple was later gifted to Zhabdrung by Lam Pangka Shong. And a prophesy was made by Lama Zhang that Zhabdrung would build a Dzong.

Ø  The area was inhabited by many evil spirits and it is said that the site where Zhabdrung decided to build the Dzong was occupied by a demon that would harm travelers  who stayed  during the night.

Ø  Zhabdrung visited the place and subdued the demon, banishing her into the rock on the hill.

Ø  The Dzong was constructed enclosing the rock, to ensure the continuing imprisonment of the demon. Hence ,the name Simtokha  derived from  the word sinmo (demon), do (stone), kha (on)- the Dzong on top of the demon’s stomach.

Ø  Conveniently, the site is also an excellent location from which to protect the Thimphu valley and the valley leading to the Dochula and eastern Bhutan