| Name: | Choding Monastery Ruins |
|---|---|
| Identity: | Ruins |
| Level: | Registered Archaeological Site |
| Category: | Archaeological Site |
| Founder: | Drubchen Pema Wangchen. |
| Constructed(Year|Century): | 0 | 14 |
| No. of Floor | 2floor |
| Main Wall | Rammed earth walls, which were reused during the 20th-century reconstruction. |
| Location: | Tsheto, Paro |
| Current Use: | Original |
| Ownership: | Government |
| Coodinates: |
Choding Monastery was established in the 14th century by Drubchen Pema Wangchen, a master of the Kathok Nyingma tradition. The site provides valuable insights into the religious predominance of the Nyingma tradition during that era, reflected in its distinctive building typology. Following a major earthquake in 1909, the structure was restored by Lodey Rinchen, who transitioned it from three stories to two and installed sacred statues of Chö-Long-Trul-Sum, Küntu Zangpo, and Damchen Dorji Legpa. Architectural analysis of the ruins reveals significant historical alterations: the timber joists were shifted upward by approximately 400mm to increase room height, and third-floor windows were closed during the 20th-century reconstruction. Evidence of mural paintings and historical wood remnants (hanger holes) can still be found within the ruins. Despite being destroyed by fire in 1996, the site remains a testament to the resilience of Bhutanese heritage and the enduring legacy of the Nyingma tradition in Paro.
