October 15: The 400-year-old Semtokha Dzong has been restored to its former glory and prominence with the completion of the renovation work. The dzong was consecrated amidst traditional ceremony yesterday. Their Majesties the Kings and Their Majesties the Queens and Their Royal Highnesses the Princes and Princesses graced the Tashi Rabney ceremony.

The Tashi Rabney or the consecration ceremony of the renovated Semtokha Dzong began with a procession around the dzong led by His Majesty the king.

The Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley, Cabinet Ministers, members of the parliament, former ministers, senior government officials and representatives from the international agencies also attended the ceremony.

Presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choda, the consecration ceremony was performed by the monks of the Semtokha Shedra led by the venerable Lopens of the Zhung Dratsang.

The renovation was funded by the Indian government. As a token of appreciation to the government of India, His Holiness the Je Khenpo presented a gift to the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhir Vyas.

After the consecration ceremony, Their Majesties the Kings, Their Majesties the Queens and Their Royal Highnesses the Princes and Princesses and the guests visited the exhibition put up by the monks of Semtokha Shedra.

His Majesty also visited the residence of Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal, the father of the first hereditary monarch.

The Semtokha Dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgayel in 1629. Throughout the Bhutanese history, the Semtokha Dzong played an important role. It served as the residence of Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel for over 13 years after his retirement as Druk Desi.

The renovation works on the historic Semtokha Dzong was carried out over the past three years.

As part of the renovation works, two new lhakhangs- a Zhabdrung Lhakhang and a Sangay Lhakhang have been built inside the dzong. The residence of Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgayel has been refurbished. New dormitories and dining halls for the monks of Shedra have also been constructed. The overall site of the dzong has been developed with lighting and parking facilities.

The renovation works were carried out by the Division of Conservation of Heritage Sites of the Department of Culture, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, at a cost of over Nu. 101 million.

Project officials said the architecture and design of the dzong has been maintained in its original state.