Rinpung Dzong
Located at an altitude of 2250 meters above sea level, the Rinpung Dzong is located in the heart of Paro on a hill above the Pachu. The Rinpung Dzong is a dual-purpose monument, serving as the administrative head office of Paro District as well as the main centre of the Monastic Community. The name Rinpung translates to a heap of Jewels.
History
In the 15th century lama Drung Drung a descendant of Phajo Druggom Zhigpo built a 5 story structure and named it the Hungrel Dzong. In the 17th century, the Lama's descendants offered the site to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in honor of his supremacy and authority in the region.
Ngawang Namgyel commanded the rebuilt of the structure which was undertaken by La Ngoenpa tenzin Drukdra, the 1st Pero Penlop, between 1644 and 1646 and designated the fortress as the main seat of religion and administrative center of the region. Renaming it Rinpung Dzong after the location which is said to have been named by Padmasambhava himself in the 8th century.
The Fire of 1905
~ A fire broke out in the year 1905 during the reign of Paro Penlop Dawa Penjor. Almost everything was burnt down except for the 20 x 20 meter Guru Thongdrel. Renovation works were mostly completed by the reigning penlop Dawa Penjor to its former glory. The Thongdrel is the centerpiece of attraction of the 3-day annual Paro Tsechu.
The dzong was also renovated in 1951 for the Royal Wedding of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo
The Architect :- Temples and Offices
Perched atop a cliff this 80 x 120 metered fortress in imposing grandeur is a fine example of Bhutanese architectural display. At the entrance of the dzong, etched inside the wall is a small shrine and statues of Rigsum Gonpo / The Trinity of Buddhas. Along the entrance walls are the painting of Bhava Chakra/ The wheel of Life, Tshering Namdruk , four Harmonious friends and the four guardian kings.
Administrative offices as well as the district court occupy the 1st Court Yard.
There are a total of 14 chapels inside the dzong and they are :-
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Kungarwa
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Monks' assembly hall
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Sandalwood Stupa
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Protector's shrine
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Temple of the Guru's Eight Manifistations (Dzongkha: གུ་རུ་མཚན་རྒྱད་ལྷ་ཁང)
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Chapel of the head lama
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Chapel of Amitayus
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The Clear Crystal Shrine
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Chapel of the Eleven-faced Avalokiteśvara
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Apartments of the Abbot
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Chapel of Akshobhya
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Temple of the Treasure Revealer
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Apartments of the King (Gyalpo'i Zimchung)
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Temple of the Bursar
The Kunrey / The Monks Prayer Hall'
- The main central figure is the statue of Gautama Buddha at 16 years old in princely form.
- Statues of 16 arahats
-Statue of Zhabdrung
- Victory Stupa and Enlightenment Stupa
-Paintings of Zhabdrung Tshokor sum and Sangay Chokor Sum.