Thruepang Palace

Description

Thruepang palace is situated just above the road, not far from the Trongsa Dzong, and is near the present day local vegetable market. The palace is a modest two-storey building, more like a large house than a palace. A front courtyard with green grass beautifies the whole environment of the palace. On one side of the courtyard we can see some small Bhutanese traditional houses where the royal entourage stayed. The architecture of the palace is magnificent, and traditional paintings on the palace are of iconographic and artistic value.

History
The palace was built by the Second King, Jigme Wangchuck, as his palace in the 1920s. The palace was occupied by his senior Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden. The Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, was born there in 1928, and he spent most of his childhood travelling between the Thruepang, Kuenga Rabten and Wangdu Choling palaces. The palace was renovated between 2006 and 2008 and is currently used by the Fifth King when he travels through Trongsa.

Social and Cultural Functions

The palace continues to be a symbol of the monarchy, and a testimony of the lifestyle that the Second and Third Kings had of changing valleys according to seasons. Likely due to its convenient location in the heart of the present day Trongsa town, it continues to be used by the royal family on occasion. The caretaker of the palace is appointed by the Dzongkhag Administration.

Informant: Pema Gyeltshen, Caretaker of Thruepang Palace (appointed by Dzongkhag Administration), 2013

Researcher / Photographer
Chencho Tshering
Asst. Lecturer, Institute of Language and Culture Studies, RUB

(Click on the Thumbnails to view the Photo Gallery)