The original Thimphu dzong (the Do-Ngön Dzong, or Blue Stone Dzong) was built in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanapa (1164–1224), founder of the Lhapa branch of the
Drikung Kagyu, at the place where
Dechen Phodrang Monastery now stands on a ridge above the present Tashichö-dzong. In 1641
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal took over that Dzong from the Lhapa Kagyu, reconsecrated, and renamed it Tashichö-Dzong. It was then established as the main seat of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu and the summer residence of the monastic body or sangha headed by
Shabdrung Rinpoche. Most of this original dzong was destroyed by fire in 1772 and a new dzong was built at the present site by the sixteenth Desi, Sonam Lhudrup, and it was then consecrated by the thirteenth Je Khenpo, Je Yonten Taye, who named the new Dzong Sonamchö-dzong. Following the death of the Desi it was renamed Tashichö-dzong after the old Dzong. Tashichö Dzong was again destroyed by fire three different times as well seriously damaged by an earthquake in 1897. Each time it was rebuilt by the Desi and Je Khenpo of the time. In 1962, after the capital was moved from Punakha to Thimphu, the present Dzong was rebuilt by the third king,
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as the seat of Government following a different plan from the old one. Only the central Utse tower, the Lhakhang Sarp (new temple), and main Gönkhang (protector temple) remain from the earlier Dzong. After its completion in 1968, the new Tashichö Dzong was consecrated by the 66th Je Khenpo Yonten Tarchin; the 16th
Karmapa,
Rangjung Rigpai Dorje; and Je Kudre, Jamyang Yeshe. In 1953 the royal family took up residence in the newly built
Dechencholing Palace. In 1777, during the time of the 18th Desi, Jigme Singye, the Kunrey (assembly hall of the monks) in the Dzong was renovated, as it was totally dark inside. It was further renovated by the 25th Desi, Pema Cheda, in 1807. Phurgyal, during his tenure as the 32nd Desi, added the Ditsang lhakhang in 1826 and installed many new statues. In 2002 a newly built Neten Chudrug (16 arhats, those who had extinguished all defilements)
Thongdrol was consecrated and added by His Holiness the
Je Khenpo. The northern portion is the summer residence of the Je Khenpo and the Central Monastic Body. ==Temples and chapels in the Dzong==