Wangdue Phodrang Dzong (The Wangdue Fortress )

Wangdue Phodrang Dzong in its olden days.
Courtesy: google

The fortress of WangduePhodrang comes third in the line of construction of massive structures by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It was said to have built circa 1639, two years after the Punakha Dzong. The fortress is strategically perched on a hill overlooking the confluence of Puna Tshang Chhu (combined rivers of Pho Chhu and Mo chhu) and Dang Chhu on the left side of the hill.

Naming of the Dzong

The name of the Dzong carries various anecdotes over its etymologies. According to some oral sources, the name “Wangdue” owes it to a name of a person. The story goes on to say that, while Zhabdrung Rinpochhe was on entourage towards Shar region (East) by the invitations of some of the devotees, on his way he met a boy playing by the riverside with the sand trying to build a castle. Zhabdrung Rinpochhe saw that the boy was fully engrossed in his little world and who, even did not take a moment to notice the retinue of monks treading nearby. Out of curiosity, Lama Rinpochhe went near the by and asked for his name. Upon hearing the question, boy replied saying his name as “Wangdue”. Further, with joviality Zhabdrung Rinpochhe asked about what he was doing alone by the riverside! Wangdue replied that he was trying to make a ‘Phodrang’ which means a castle. It was unusual that a boy who should be playing at this age with his equals and such sight was taken by Lama Rinpochhe as a good omen. Later, when the foundation of the fortress was laid down, it came out to be called “Wangdue Phodrang- meaning, Palace of Wangdue.”

The bird's eye-view of the dzong show the confluence of Puna Tshang Chhu on the right and Dang Chhu on the left.
Courtesy: google.

In another sources, it is said that the construction of Dzong was already made in the prophecies of Guru Rinpochhe during 8^th Century. It has been prophesied that, in the future, a Dzong will be built by a person named “Namgyal” on a hillside which looks like a nose of a sleeping elephant where, the religion would flourish in the region like never before. Today, if one observe the location of the fortress carefully from a distance, one can vividly view the image of an elephant’s nose.

According to some of the recent scholarships, it has been argued that the name of the fortress owes directly with Zhabdrung Rinpochhe’s attempt on bringing the control of (Shar) eastern region under the Drukpa control. Zhabdrung commanded to have a ‘Castle Monastery’ built on the hill to administer the region which was found to be strategic in its location, being centre from the regions of Shar Dargyed (Eight regions of Shar). With the fortress having constructed, it symbolized the region being under the control of Drukpa Kadgyu or the Drukpa Rule. Thus, the name ‘Wangdue Phodrang.’ “Wangdue” means ‘to bring under control’ and “Phodrang” means ‘castle’. Combined, it means ‘the castle which controls.’ 

Historical Background

The fortress played an important political role in the history of Bhutan. Since its establishment, the Wangdue Dzong became the second capital (Punakha Dzong being the main seat of Zhabdrung) at the later period of Zhabdrung’s rule. Over the period of time, several Dzongpoens (Fortress Administrators) were appointed to take the charge of administrative functions. During the 19^th century political upheaval period, the post of Wangdue Dzongpoen became too important showing the political position of the fortress in the Bhutanese history. The strength of Bhutanese link with Ladakhis can also be understood through the history of Wangdue Dzong. It has been recorded that two princes from Ladakh who had come for religious training in Bhutan ended up later becoming the Dzongpoen of Wangdue Dzong. Besides, it is one of the region who contributed the military services to the central government in times of need. It was famously called (Shar-Wang- Paa Sum), Shar region being Wangdue Phodrang region.

Today, the dzong is being under re-construction process due to unfortunate incident of 2011 where, it was razed down completely by the fire. The government had taken an extra initiative with hefty allocation of budget to bring back the exact design of the structure as it used to be.

The Dzong after being razed down by fire in 2011.
Courtesy: google.