Mongar Dzongkhag Administration, Home Page

Introduction

Mongar Dzongkhag is located at 450 kilometers east from the capital. Mongar is placed between 27.25 latitude and 91.2 longitude and is delimited by Trashigang Dzongkhag towards the east, towards the North by Lhuntse, towards the south by Pema Gatsel, Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhags and towards the west by Shemgang and Bumthang. Mongar is near Bumthang and the journey to Mongar crossing over 4000 meters high is scenically spectacular. Rising out of Ura, the highway climbs steeply to Thrimshingla (the highest pass, 3800m) along the west to east highway at Thrimshingla. The journey from Thrimshingla to Lingmethang is astonishing for several reasons. The road drops from 3800 meters to 650 meters only a few hours passing from pine forest through semi-tropical forest to orange grooves. Out of eight major rivers, Kurichu flows through the valley that is generating 60 megawatts of electricity.

People

In course of the earth evolution, humans have supposed to have evolved from god. Similarly, humans flourished in Bhutan. After one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine years of Buddha'sParinirvana, coinciding with the iron bird year, Lhasey Tsangma and his followers came to Bhutan from Tibet. Routing through Phari, the retinue arrived at Paro and later reached Thimphu. The retinue continued traveling towards east through Mangde, Kheng and Zhongar. On reaching Kurichu, they found it impossible to cross the river without a bridge. The prince prayed to lay a bridge for them if he were really destined to settle in the region. His prayer was fulfilled by falling of a huge tree across the river. The prince and his followers crossed the river and reached the other side. Further they went to Ngatsang, Jamkhar, Pelkhar and eventually arrived at Mongar. Lhasey Tsangma married Sonam Pelki, daughter of a noble Ama Dendup. Through his marriage, lineages of Tibet King flourished in the region. Three villages of Lawog, Chitsang, Yenkhar, Chenkhar, Dungsam, Khaling, Kurtoe, Bangtsho, Sengor, Ngatsang, Chitsang, Chaskar, Drepong, Tongsum and Kheng Gongdu were ruled by the local aristocrats such as Khochey and Ponchey, who were descendents of Lhasey Tsangma. Thus, the people of Mongar originated from the descendents of Lhasey Tsangma.

Language

Among nineteen different languages in Bhutan that were passed down the blood lineages through many generations seven originated in Mongar such as Tsanglakha, Limikha, Khengkha, Dramikha of Brokpa, Chalikha and Tronkha of Gongdu. Tsanglakha was the main language in the Dzongkhag and was spoken by almost the entire population. Khengkha is spoken in Silambi, Dagsa, Nagor and Yangbari. Bumthangkha is spoken in Saling, Sengor and Gezam. Chalikha is spoken in Chali Geog, Bangmarkhar, Tormashong and Horong. Gongdukha is spoken in Daksa Pam and Gongdu.

Population

Mongar Dzongkhag is considered as the second largest Dzongkhag in Bhutan and it has a population of around 44, 063 as of 2003 census. Majority of the population are living in rural areas as farmers.

Administrative Division

Our country is stressing much on decentralization and the Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogchung, started in 1981 to give the power of planning and decision making at the Dzongkhag Level. A decade later, in 1991 to give the decision making power to the lowest level Geog Yargye Tshogchung was started. Mongar has presently 17 geogs. We have 10 chimis, 17 mangmis and 17 geog clerks. With the delegation of financial powers to gups government has appointed Geog Accountants in all the Dzongkhags. Mongar has three Goeg accountants at the present.

Education

Mongar has well developed education system. Mongar Dzongkhag has two Higher Secondary Schools Viz. Gyelposhing Higher Secondary School and Mongar Higher Secondary School and has 6 Lower Secondary Schools and 41 primary and community schools scattered all over the Dzongkhag.

Non-Formal Education

The main aim of our country is to make education accessible to the entire population and to increase the literacy rate. So the government has introduced a new system of education to literate our population who didnâ€™t get chance to attend the formal education called Non- Formal Education. Mongar has 58 NFE centers which are catering to whole population scattered in the far flung places in Mongar Dzongkhag.

Satellite towns
With the coming of town planning in Mongar Dzongkhag, it was felt necessary to have Satellite towns as the Mongar town is not in a position to cater to all the places and also to bring about balanced development in the Dzongkhag. We have Satellite town in Rolong, Sherichu, Yadhi, Dremetse, Lingmethang, Gyelposhing, Kelikhar and Sengor.

Banking

The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) is the Country's Central Bank. Bhutan has also other commercial bank. Bank of Bhutan and Bhutan National Bank are the commercial banks in Bhutan. Apart from its main office in Phuntsholing, Bank of Bhutan has 23 branch scattered in the Dzongkhags throughout Bhutan. Mongar has a branch of BoBL giving financial loans to traders, industrialist, civil servants and petty business man. Apart from BoBL, Mongar Dzongkhag has branch office of RICBL and BDFCL. RICBL is providing both general and Life insurance. It provides loans and advances for the trade and Industrial sector, Manages Government Provident Fund. Bhutan Development Finance Corporation (BDFCL) that is acting as the Development Financial institutions for small and medium scale industrial and agricultural producers. It gives loans to farmers to develop agriculture and to start a small business. Due to the establishment of these commercial banks in Mongar, the commercial infrastructure is developing and progressing comfortably.

Communication

Mongar Dzongkhag has well developed communication system. Road transport remains the main mode of transport for passenger as well as freight. Mongar is connected with all the Dzongkhags with roads. Almost all the geogs are connected with roads except for few geogs like Silambi, Gongdu, Kengkhar, Jurmey and Tsamang.
In Mongar information technology has set in. Mongar has one Information Technology Institute that is giving necessary training. In Mongar most of the Offices are connected with internet. We have good system of communication provided with Telecom. Even some geogs are connected with Telephones.
The main objective of our country is to provide Telecommunication Services to the rural masses which comprise of about 80% of the total Population. With the completion of National Network, all districts Head quarters and some satellite towns will be covered by digital Microwave system. The main aim of the Telecom is to provide telecommunication services to the rural areas of the country. This will enable Telecommunication services to achieve higher penetration level. This will also allow people living in rural areas to gain access to basic telecommunication facilities which will help improve living standard and bring balanced economic growth.

Brief History of Mongar Dzong

The History of Mongar centers around a legend of an Indian King called Indra Buthri who came to Mongar for hunting in a thick forest strayed by wild animals. The king who came for hunting was so thirsty and went around looking for water. The king spotted an outpouring at a distance of arrow shot and quenched his thirst. This stream is still seen today. The king came up and reached the site of the present Dzong. The moment king reached there, he saw a flock of deer and reindeer suddenly disappearing and the king was perplexed and surprised by this miraculous occurrence. Relating to this incidence, the place got its name as Mongar.

During the time of Dzongpon Namedla it was all jungle, except a small temporary hut where the present police station stands. After that Dremetse Chojey Tenzin built a Nagtsang. Then during the reign of Dzongpon Dorji Penjor Zhongar Dzong was shifted to Mongar and constructed an utse. In the year 1960, Dzongpon Babu Tashi who was very learned started the collection of timber to build a Dzong.
In the year 1960 coinciding with the auspicious day Dzongpon Babu Karchung laid the foundation of the Dzong and started the work. He invited carpenter like Yadhi Tharpo, Chaskar Thinley, Yadhi Deku and Tsamang Ragola and 15 other carpenters. He invited masons like Kengkhar Phugyel's two sons and 15 others. Under the supervision of Kudre Damchoe, Dechen Wangdi, Yadhi Tsidpo and 500 daily wage people of Mongar area completed the Dzong within one year.
The paintings and debris inside the Dzong was done by Kengkhar Phugyel, Rigshung School's Ex- Principal Dasho Lam Sanga, Yeshi Dorji, Tshewang Thinley and Ugyen of Pongchula.
There was no Annual Tsechu observed in Mongar Dzongkhag like other Dzongkhags in earlier days. Under the Dzongpon Dorji Penjor's Chairmanship Agay Sonam Dendup, Yagang Lama, Mongar Khochey Karpo, Kunzang and public held a meeting and unanimously resolved to institute a Tsechu in Mongar Dzongkhag. In 1961, Mongar Tsechu was started. Mongar Tsechu is annually held during 7-10th day of the 10th Bhutanese Month. From 1999 Zhung Dratsang's Mask dances were also included.

Before Mongar has no Rabdey but only Gomdey and the following were the lists of Lamas who headed the Gomdey in Mongar.

1. Dangrey Lama Shacha Choeling

2. Lama Jangchup from Rangshikhar.

3. Mongar Lam Rabgye.

4. Yagang lama Gyeltshen

5. Mongar Khochey Lama Tandin Wangdi.

6. Zhongar Dzong's Ex- Kangjop

7. Gyelphu Lama Jangchup Dorji.

In 1966, Dratsang Rabdey was instituted under the Tsakaling lama Sithar with 16 Monks.Following are the Lamas who served as Lam Netens in Mongar Dzong.

1. Lama Sithar.

2. Lam Pangsho Penjor.

3. Lam Tandin Dorji.

4. Lam Tenzin.

5. Lam Jinpa Tenzin

6. Lam Singye Rinchen

7. Lam Namgyel

8. Lam Kinley Gyeltshen

9. Lam Tenzin

10. Lam Namgay Wangchuk (Present Lam Neten).

In Bhutan there was no Dzongkhag Administration as such that time and all the affairs of the Dzongkhag was looked after by Thrimpon. Following are the lists of Thrimpons who worked in Mongar Dzong.

1. Thrimpon Therchung

2. Thrimpon Shatu

3. Thrimpon Karma

4. Thrimpon Khitsala

5. Thrimpon Samdrup

6. Thrimpon Dorji

7. Thrimpon Tashi Tshering

In 1968, the culture of Dzongpon, Thrimpon and Nerchen was abolished and all the Dzongkhags in Bhutan was brought under Ministry Of Home Affairs and all the affairs of the Dzongkhags were given to Dzongdags and Thrimpons. Following are the Dzongdags who served as Dzongdags in Mongar Dzongkhag.

1. Dasho Samdrup.

2. Dasho Tashi Tshering.

3. Dasho Dorji Namgyel

4. Dasho Gaseng Lhendrup.

5. Dasho Rinchen Tshering.

6. Dasho Lhakpa Dorji.

7. Dasho Karma Dorji.

8. Dasho Jigme Tsheltrum.

9. Dasho Lham Dorji.

10. Dasho Minjur Dorji

11. Dasho Lhab Dorji

12. Dasho Sherab Tenzin (Present Dzongdag)

Following are the Dasho Thrimpons/Drangpoens who came to Mongar Dzongkhag and served as Thrimpon/Drangpoens:

1. Dasho Samdrup

2. Dasho Dorji

3. Dasho Tashi Tshering

4. Dasho Tay Tay.

5. Dasho Dorji

6. Dasho Minjur

7. Pema Gyeltshen.

8. Choki Dorji

9. Kaka Dorji

10. Thinley Dorji.

11. Sonam Rinchen.

12. Damchoe Dorji

13. Lobzang Rinzin Yargay

14. Dasho Kinley Namgay (Present Drangpon).

Mongar Dzong although built recently, which is considered to be one of Bhutan's newest Dzong; it is constructed the way as all earlier dzongs, without plans or nails. A visit to Mongar Dzong shows one how traditional architecture has continued to thrive through the centuries. Presently Mongar Dzong serves as the Office of Dzongkhag Administration, Dratsang and District Court.

Conclusion
Mongar Dzongkhag has seen unprecedented development within short span of time. With the commission of Kurichu Hydro Power, the Dzongkhag is progressing well and it is solely due to the dynamic and farsighted leadership of our beloved monarch.

Sources

1. Kuensel

2. Internet

3. Royal Government of Bhutan council of Research & Extension.

4. Regional Pig and Poultry Breeding Farm, Lingmethang

5. Dzongkhag Administration, Mongar.

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