We could only  visit  The Fortress of the Auspicious Religion to give it its Bhutanese name, after 5.00pm when the King had left his office for the day.

On this day however he was running late and as we entered a door opened beside me and out strode HRH,  He was there and gone before I had time to raise my camera, for which Bhim was extremely grateful. 

Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is an imposing figure.  The saffron kabre worn only by the King and Chief Abbot was confirmation of his identity had any been needed

This has been the seat of government since 1952 and  houses the throne room and offices of the King, the secretariat and office of home affairs and finance

Security at The Dzong is. maintained by the Army but apart from the airport style X-ay at the entrance it is low key. The day we visited the King was accompanied by only one person as he left his office.  How unlike any tin pot Burmese general who will only appear in public with a small army in attendance.

This white building is the Utse, the main temple of a Dzong and the bridge between the Dzongs secular government functions and the religious monastic ones.

This one is particularly beautiful inside.

They are at the very core of the Bhutanese way of life.