The newly renovated Lhuentse Dzong was inaugurated yesterday. The Rabney was presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo. It was inaugurated by His Majesty’s Representative to the East His Royal Highness, Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
The Lhuentse Dzong is situated right on the top on a hill overlooking the Kurichhu River. The Dzong was constructed in 1654 by Trongsa Penlop Chogyal Minjur Tempa and was named Lhendrup Rinchentse Dzong. It is also known as the Leyley Dzong.
His Majesty’s Representative to the East, His Royal Highness Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and Ashi Yeatso Lhamo were the guests of honour. The Agriculture and Forests Minister and the members of the Parliament also attended the Rabney.
The September earthquake in 2009 had damaged the dzong. The dzong’s walls, made of out of timber, were also old and decaying. The Dzong was renovated several times in the past as well.
The renovation for this time began in August 2009 and was completed in October 2013.
The Lhuentse Dzong was renovated under the Lhuentse Dzong Conservation Project. The renovation was funded by the Government of India. The cost came up to little more than Nu. 162 millions.
