Places of interest around Mongar

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Mongar Dzong

You’ll not come across many towering Bhutanese architectural structures in Mongar like in Paro and Thimphu. Therefore, Mongar Dzong is a hard-to-miss structure in Mongar for tourists. Mongar Dzong history has that it was built sometimes in 1930s to replace Zhongar Dzong. It’s now a centre of Mongar Dzongkhag Administration offices and district monastic community.

Drametse Monastery

It is one of the most heritage monasteries which is situated in this part of the region. Recently its major repair works were in progress. Drametse Monastery is where at about 150 monks study Buddhist scriptures under religious guidance of Sungtruel Rinpoche. All the episodes of Drametse Ngacham are performed only in this monastery during Drametse Tshechu.

Zhongar Dzong Ruins

In the history of Zhongar Dzong, it was built by Zochhen Balip sometimes in the 17th century on demand of Zhongar Gyalp Karpodung. When the construction was done and farewell dinner was held for the chief architect, it’s said that Balip’s hands were cut off to avoid coming up of the similar fortress in other places.

Yagang Lhakhang

It is another great historic point which must be visited durting your Bhutan tour and episode. Yagang Lhakhang has a historical relationship with Bumthang Mebartsho, Jakar Dzong and Dongkola. When Choekhor Deb was about to crush a box of treasures revealed by Tertoen Pema Lingpa, three small statues were said to have escaped flying to Yakgang Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong, and Dongkola Temple.

Kilikhar Shedra

It’s one of the few Buddhist Colleges in Eastern Bhutan. People also call it as Keydeykhar Shedra or Kedheykhar Monastery. Kilikhar is an educational home for about 120 Buddhist monks. It’s on a hilltop at a distance of about 5km from Mongar town. Kilikhar Monastery is one of the places to visit in Mongar Bhutan which is closer to main town. Its temple isn’t only architectural icons but also a good viewpoint.