Located in the heart
of capital city, Thimphu between two famous roads –Norzinlam and Changlam, and
built in 1987 is the Chutse Khorloi Kachen (tower of the clock) which is
importantly functioned for the various purposes. The tower was respectfully
consecrated on August 1, 1987. The clock tower was built in the inspiring
memory of Late King by Fritz and Monica von Schulthess Frank and Lisina Hoch
Fernand and Adrienne Oltramare. The Third Dragon King of Bhutan, His Majesty
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who was born in 1928 and passed away in 1972. He
initiated First Five Year Plan in 1961 and various developmental activities
came up now and then. His Majesty was referred to as the Father of Modern
Bhutan.
The clock tower is
the midpoint where capital city is expandingto all the directions. Once upon a
time, the clock tower area was cab room (Taxi stand) where cabbies can travel
to each and every nook and corner of the city and outside the city too. It is
really attention-grabbing and relieving place where hundreds and thousands
gather to watch occasional public shows organized by various agencies time and
again.This becomes recreational center for the all kind of people.
Not only this place
is good but also it merely becomes the violence prone areas where
intra-personal issues raised at this place out ego clash within themselves. In
the mid night or early morning hours, we can see people loitering around the
tower premise, which threaten the life of people who come there for good
purposes or emergency cases. Though, all loiterers may not have same notion to
robe, stab, bash, etc. but it happen sometimes which pinch the mind of all.
However, the place is believed to be one of the vital places in the heart of
capital city.
The hotels,
restaurants, bars, shopping complexes, private offices, residences and others
are modestly located with superficially beautiful and purely in our own fading
traditions. Surrounded by reputed Druk Hotel and Wangchuk Hotel, the clock
tower looks beautiful and adored by the people of all kinds.
The Clock Tower has
been meeting place besides National Memorial Chorten, Kuensel Phodrang and
other places. The boy or girl walk majestically to the place and waits for long
time, taking rest to greet their dear ones. They sigh and moan in order to make
good greetings to the dear ones, who meet for the first time. Some artificially
walk here and there to pass their leisure time before their counterparts reach
the place. The people of all ages choose this place as their best meeting place
keeping in mind the location.
The people of all
kinds take sun bath sitting on the galleries sharing about their past, present
and vision the future of individual life. They laugh, scream, giggle and shout
amongst themselves out of excitement. The food and lodging hotels nearby facing
the clock tower and enjoy the vicinity of the tower area downright.
This place is not
only visited by the Bhutanese people but also the tourists. They took
photographs and ask several questions what, why, where, who and how it is
built. The tourist guide simply responds the questions in their own ways. One
of the tourist guides was at clock tower confidently giving explanations. “This
is Clock Tower. It is built here because wrist watch and wall clock was not
popular. The date is unknown. So, we considered as important place in the
country.” Said one the tourist guides. The explanation is almost true but sardonic
for person who knows better than him. I simply listened and I believed it as
true. I totally followed his explanations. Then I realized that I should know
about it. I went through various magazines, newspapers, and other resources,
but could not find the detail.
Henceforth, I was
just waiting to get more information. Simply waiting does not worked well. I
then researched on it following various resources. I got some fabricated
paragraphs from internet and magazines.
One day, I went along
with my friends to the premise of clock tower. I stayed there for few hours
waiting for other friends to reach the place. We seated on the benches
installed nearby. We could see beautiful mountains above the roofs of the tall
buildings. I the unzipped my bag, pull out the camera, I went around and took some
beautiful photographs. I went near the tower, where I could see a black
coloured board with few lines written on it. My habit is to read carefully, so
I neared the board and read top to bottom. This is all about the tower. I got
basic information about the tower but very short. With excitement; I snapped
few pictures of the board.
I sit on the steps, took
a rest for few minutes. I looked around opening my eyes wide; I could see many
children playing in the premise of the tower, some labourers working hard to
complete the house on time, some going back to their homes, some walking into
the premise, and so on. It was truly nice and watchable.
I lost my conscious
for sake of several transactions within very short span of time. Meanwhile, my
friends already reach the spot where I was out of conscious. They were shouting
to me, waving their hands and laughing at me. I realized why I am out of
conscious. So, I just ignored and share how important clock tower is in
Thimphu.
