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Thimphu : Trashigang : Trongsa : Wangdiphodrang
The naming of this valley is of great significance in the history of Bhutan. The son of Ngawang Chhojey (who established the Pangri Zampa in Thimphu), named Lam Ngagi Wangchuk came to Bhutan in1541. He resided in a village called Yueli. One night, while he was in deep meditation, he saw a light glowing in a ridge below his cave. To satisfy his curiosity he rushed to the site where he had observed the light. At that very site he saw the footprints of the horse of Palden Lhamo (Bhutan’s guardian deity). He meditated here and built many temples nearby. The people of Yueli started to call the village Trongsa (meaning new village) because of its very different appearance.
Trongsa is home to the striking Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral abode of Bhutan’s Royal family. The ancient seat from where Ugyen Wangchuck, the First King, and his successor King Jigme Wangchuck ruled this Himalayan Kingdom. The third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck was born in this town in Thruepang Palace in 1928. The Crown Prince is still first awarded the post of Trongsa Penlop before ascending the throne.
The Trongsa Dzong is supposedly situated so high up on a mountain that the clouds float below it. It was built in 1644 by Chhogyel Minjur Tenpa and was later enlarged by Tenzin Rabgye. It is also known as Chhoekor Raptentse Dzong. Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal restored this dzong, after being damaged by an earthquake in 1897. Once a highly strategic position on the only connecting route between the eastern and western sectors of the central region (the trail ran through the Dzong itself), the Trongsa Penlop was able to control the whole of the east for many centuries. Among the Dzong’s treasures is a magnificent collection of rhino horn sculptures.
The Kuenga Rabten Palace is also situated in this region. It was once the winter palace of the second King, Jigme Wangchuck. It is now maintained by the Special Commission for Cultural Affairs.
