Table of Contents
Paro Museum or National Museum of Bhutan was previously a watchtower of Paro Valley. Invaders of Tibet use to attack the valley frequently and Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel started building up watchtowers in Bhutan. The watchtower of Paro was called Ta Dzong. Ta Dzong, the fortress of watchtower was thus built on the hilltop of Paro valley above Rinpung Dzong in 1649 by La Ngonpa Tenzin Drugdra, the first Governor of Paro. He was the temporal ruler of Bhutan. He was the half-brother of the great Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal(unifier of Bhutan).
The building design is said to emulate the union of the sun and the crescent moon. it is a circular design compromising of seven stories. The wall is built with stone with mud measuring 2.5 meters thick. Its strategic location on the hilltop provides a visual advantage to protect from invaders.
The construction of the watchtower, the presently Museum of Bhutan was done with high masonry work with skilled craftsmanship. In 1714, earthquake tremors occurred later in 1896, a very strong earthquake did not damage the tower. it did not only served as a watchtower but also as a supplies storehouse. During the war, the secret underground tunnels connecting to Rinpung Dzong served a dual purpose to source a supply of water to the Ta Dzong from the Paro river and supplies.
In the 18th century, Bhutan was under the reign of the Wangchuck Dynasty. The Ta Dzong lost the function of the watchtower and converted to the National Museum of Bhutan in 1960. The third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1929–1972)His Majesty paid considerable policy attention to the preservation and promotion of Bhutanese culture and traditions in order to safeguard Bhutan’s identity as a sovereign nation. The National Museum of Bhutan was thus opened in 1965. In 1968, the National Museum of Bhutan was opened to the general public.
Introduction of the Tourism Industry of Bhutan in the 1970’s lead to an increase in the number of museum visitors. From 1974–1975 up-gradation of facilities were introduced like electrical wiring and lighting with additional galleries were opened. The new exhibits showcased Bhutanese works. From religious thangkas to postage stamps, weaponry to bronze ware. In 2000 with financial assistance from the Japanese government grant the display units were further improved.
In the year 2011, on Sunday, September 8 a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Bhuta, which destroyed the National Museum of Bhutan. The tower sustained destruction in the upper section. Finally, lead to the closure of the Museum. The grant from the Government of India constructed an administrative building nearby on the top showcasing the items to the visitors.
The renovation of the National Museum of Bhutan started in 2014 with funding support from the Government of India under the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs of Bhutan.
The first phase of the renovation included demolishing the sections of the stonewalls which were deemed structurally unstable. The removal of the wooden components that included sections of the roof, truss, and windows in keeping with the values and traditions associated with this heritage monument was completed. Within a month, the reconstruction of stonewalls began, using traditional masonry techniques to rebuild the section of the wall from the ground up. The architectural and structural design of the renovation was developed in keeping with the original building using local craftsmen. Refurbished and or new windows and a door were installed along with arrow slits conforming to the original structure.
By December 2017, the outer structural reconstruction works were completed. The old built-in-display units were restored and additional display units were constructed to the original designs. Some conservation-related improvements, including a complete makeover of the latest lighting in both galleries and display cases.
After completion of galleries. It took more than eight years of closure. The National Museum of Bhutan opened on 24th June 2020, coinciding with an auspicious day.
While you enter the Paro Museum you will be taken inside the floors comprising of different sections and categories. Before you enter you are not supposed to take any cameras and mobiles. You will be given a locker key.
The ground floor is with arms and armour. Previously it was meant for prisoners of war (PoW). You can see various types of canon guns, spears, matchlock guns, and other weapons. Before you exit the floor you can see the number of large vessels/containers of olden days. These large vessels were made of copper and bronze. Mostly it was kept by wealthy families.
This gallery compromising on traditional weapons. It includes guns, pistols, cannons, swords, bows, and arrows. The guns were presented by foreign diplomats to the Third and Fourth Kings of Bhutan. Other displays in galleries are swords, rifles, knives, helmets, and shields.
Other important displays on galleries are a collection of Cane/Bamboo items. A large collection of cane and bamboo products are on display.
The second floor with a collection of Bhutanese stamps. There is a unique stamp on display that plays Bhutan’s national anthem. Other important displays on this floor are Jewellery like rings, earrings, bangles, amulets, Koma with Jabtha, and many more. There are also wooden cups on display. You can see the development of Bhutan coins and the initiation of currency in Bhutan. You can see tea kettles on display.
This floor is meant for the founding of a monarchy in Bhutan. The 1st king of Bhutan, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck till 5th King all artifacts belonging to each King are on display.
The inner chamber of the floor houses large collections of statues carved out of various materials like sandalwood, ivory, and Rhino’s horn. The most noted craftsmanship is the statue of “Kongtse Denmo”. The floor consists of different costumes worn by people in different regions.
You can see earthenware pots collected from different parts of Bhutan. You can see religious items from the time when Buddhism was introduced in Bhutan.
You can see a three-dimensional mandala built in the National Museum is known as the Juthruel Zhithro Kilkhor, which literally means miraculous manifestations of peaceful and wrathful deities.
The fifth floor is ” Chapel of the Wealth Deity”. The ‘Namsay Phodrang’ is located in the inner circular chamber. It is dedicated to Gyalpo Namthoe Sey (Skt. Vaishravana). The guardian king of the northern celestial point in Buddhist cosmetology and is associated with wealth and prosperity. In Bhutan, he is respectfully called Norlha Namsey.
The Lord of Wealth is represented by eight manifestations. On the walls of the chamber, you can also see various sacred and antique statues.
The outer galleries of the 5th-floor display “Thangkpa” paintings. The thangka painting was introduced in Bhutan during the 12th century C.E. Paro Museum’s paintings are Buddhas, mandalas, guardian deities, and tutelary deities.
Tshogzhing Lhakhang (Chapel of the Tree of Merit).
The Tshogzhing Lhakhang comprises a three-dimensional tree mandala. It represents four major schools of Vajrayana Buddhism in the eastern Himalayan region. The old sect (Nyingma), Black hat sect, (Kagyu), Shakya sect, and Gelugpa – Yellow hat sect, spiritual masters, tutelary, and protecting deities. It was created by the prominent clay master Lopen Damcho along with his apprentice artisans in 1968.
The National Museum is open throughout the week except on government and local holidays.
Summer opening hours (March – October) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Ticket counter closes at 4.30 PM)
Winter opening hours (November – February) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Ticket counter closes at 3.30 PM)
Admission fee structure for tourists visiting the National Museum of Bhutan or Paro Museum
Photography and videography are not permitted inside the museum. Please place your cameras in the lockers located at the museum entrance. Photography is permitted outside the museum building and on the grounds. Visitors are also requested not to picnic inside the museum premises. Thank you for your cooperation.
Rinpung Dzong Paro is very near to National Museum. After visiting Paro Museum you can get down to Rinpung Dzong Paro. From Museum you can walk or get a car to drive downhill. it takes 5-10 minutes car drive to reach the fortress. Rinpung Paro Dzong is fortress for Paro. It is located at the strategic location on the hilltop.