Overview:

Jakar Dzong, located in central Bhutan, is the administrative center of Bumthang district. The dzong is located on a high ridge above the valley of Chamkhar, and was constructed in 1667 by Ngagi Wangchuk, the 4th Druk Desi. It has been the site of many important ceremonies and meetings in Bhutan’s history. The dzong is still in use today as a government office and as a monastery. Tourists can climb to the top of the dzong to experience its grand architecture and to admire the spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Bhutan
Prominent Features:

Jakar Dzong is located in the Chokhor Valley in Bhutan and serves as the administrative center of Bumthang District. It also houses a monastic school. The Jakar Dzong is a large fortress-like structure with white­washed stone walls and towers. Its architecture is inspired by traditional Bhutanese dzongs, but it is more ornate and intricately decorated, with huge statues of guardian deities and colorful prayer flags. It consists of four courtyards connected by a number of gates. Inside, there is a chapel, a temple, a college building, and a library. The Jakar Dzong also features several important Buddhist sites, including a massive Buddha statue, a meditation retreat, and a colorful three-storey temple. On the grounds are also several ponds and streams, and if you look carefully, you can often see wild animals such as deer and wild boar roaming around. The Jakar Dzong is considered a holy place and it attracts visitors from all over the world. It is one of the most important sites in Bhutan and is known as "The Fortress of the White Bird". This national monument of Bhutan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Jakar Dzong, also known as Jakar Tsongkhang, is a important fortress of Bhutan located in the beautiful valley of Choekhor in the Bumthang District. The Dzong has long been a spiritual centre of Bhutan and is believed to have been built in 1549. the Dzong was originally an important landmark in the kingdom for holding divine and upaya (rituals). As time went on, Jakar Dzong developed into a massive fortified monastery-fortress. The Dzong is strategically built in the valley, taking advantage of its beautiful surroundings as an effective defensive position against enemies. The walls of Jakar Dzong are made of stone, mud and wood and are 2.5 meters thick. The walls are also surrounded by fortifications including towers, gates and courtyards. The main sacred temple of Jakar Dzong is a Yungdrung Bon temple. This is believed to be an ancient Bon temple that pre-dates the arrival of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is said to have been founded by the great lama, Drubthob Lingpa. Other important temples located within the Dzong are the Lhakhang Karpo and the Lhakhang Nagpo, where Bhutan's two main schools of Buddhism intersect. The annual Jakar Tshechu (Festival of Jakar) is the most important event held at Jakar Dzong. This festival is celebrated in the fourth month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar and is attended by devotees from different parts of the country. The festival highlights a colourful array of dance and rituals related to Bon religion and Vajrayana Buddhism. Today, Jakar Dzong continue to be a spiritual centre in Bhutan and it is open to visitors. The complex also houses the administrative headquarters of the Bumthang district. You must visit one of these historical places in Bhutan on your Bhutan tour

Interesting facts:

1. Jakar Dzong, also known as the “Castle of the White Bird”, is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most important dzongs, or fortified monasteries. 2. Located in the Bumthang Valley, Jakar Dzong was built in 1549 by the great lama and founder of Bhutan, Ngawang Choegyel, after a local white bird was said to have predicted its construction. 3. Today, Jakar Dzong is the administrative centre of the Bumthang district and houses both district administrative and monastic offices. 4. The dzong features stunning murals, beautiful temples, and several meditation retreats, and is also home to a large library filled with ancient texts. 5. Since its founding in the 16th century, Jakar Dzong has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, and, during the 1960s, a major renovation project was completed. Visit one of the famous monuments of Bhutan with your friends and family.