Jakar
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Jakar
| native_name_lang = dz
| other_name = Byakar
| native_name = བྱ་ཀར་
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Thromde
| motto =
| image_skyline = JakarDzong.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| image_caption = Jakar Dzong
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| pushpin_map = Bhutan
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Bhutan
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Bhutan}}
| subdivision_type1 = Dzongkhag
| subdivision_name1 = Bumthang
| subdivision_type2 = Gewog
| subdivision_name2 = Chhoekhor
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| established_title = Settled
| established_date = ca. 1549
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| unit_pref = Metric
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| population_as_of = 2017
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| population_total = 6243
| population_density_km2 = auto
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| timezone = BTT
| utc_offset = +06:00
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| coordinates = {{coord|27|33|0|N|90|44|0|E|region:BT_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 2587
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| blank_name = Climate
| blank_info = Cwb
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Jakar ({{Langx|dz|བྱ་ཀར་|translit=Bya-kar}})Approved Thromdes & Boundaries in 2 July 2010, Approved Class B Thromdes, Bumthang Thromde; Thromde List part 2 http://www.mowhs.gov.bt/publications/approved-thromde-and-boundaries/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228112242/http://www.mowhs.gov.bt/publications/approved-thromde-and-boundaries/ |date=28 December 2017 }} is a town in the central-eastern region of Bhutan. It is the district capital (dzongkhag thromde){{cite web |url=http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/cabinet-approves-thromdes/ |publisher=Bhutan Observer online |first=Sonam |last=Pelden |title=Cabinet Approves Thromdes |date=2010-05-07 |accessdate=2011-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120005537/http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/cabinet-approves-thromdes/ |archive-date=20 January 2011 |url-status=dead }} of Bumthang District and the location of Jakar Dzong, the regional dzong fortress. The name Jakar roughly translates as "white bird" in reference to its foundation myth, according to which a roosting white bird signalled the proper and auspicious location to found a monastery around 1549.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s-L8NUlW_QgC |title=Bhutan |series=Lonely Planet Country Guides|first1=Lindsay |last1=Brown |first2=Bradley |last2=Mayhew |first3=Stan |last3=Armington |first4=Richard W. |last4=Whitecross |edition=3 |publisher=Lonely Planet |year=2007 |isbn=978-1740595292 |accessdate=2011-08-09}}{{rp|168}}
History
{{further|Bumthang Kingdom|Bumthang Province}}
The town is the site of Chakhar Lhakhang, a small and unassuming temple which marks the site of the "Iron Palace" of Sindhu Raja, the Indian monarch who is believed to have first invited Guru Rinpoche to Bhutan in 746.{{cite book|title=Peoples of the Buddhist World: a Christian Prayer Diary |first=Paul |last=Hattaway |publisher=William Carey Library |year=2004 |isbn=0878083618 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OzEOKNPsv2EC |page=30 |accessdate=2011-08-20}}{{Country study|country=Bhutan |abbr=bt |editor=Savada, Andrea Matles |date=September 1991 |section=Arrival of Buddhism |author=Worden, Robert L. |pd=yes}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yA9uAAAAMAAJ |title=History of Bhutan based on Buddhism |first=C. T. |last=Dorji |publisher=Sangay Xam, Prominent Publishers |year=1994 |isbn=8186239014 |accessdate=2011-08-12}}{{rp|34–5}} The current building is said to have been constructed by Tertön Dorje Lingpa in the 14th century.
According to the Jakar foundation myth, a roosting white bird signaled the proper and auspicious location to found a monastery around 1549. The settlement thus earned the moniker Jakar, meaning "white bird."{{rp|168}}
There are many significant Buddhist sacred sites nearby the town, such as Kurjey Lhakhang, which holds a body print of Guru Rinpoche; Jambey Lhakhang, one of the 108 monasteries that in mythology were miraculously constructed by King Songten Gampo in one night; and Tamsshing Lhakhag established by Tertön Padma Lingpa (1450–1521).{{cite book|title=Tigers in red weather: a quest for the last wild tigers |first=Ruth |last=Padel |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |year=2006 |isbn=0802715443 |pages=139–40 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zYLJp0X04mUC |accessdate=2011-08-21}} In addition, one of the country's largest monastic colleges, Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery, overlooks Jakar.
Geography
=Location=
Jakar is located in Bumthang (Choekhor) Valley within Chhoekhor Gewog in central Bumthang. Administratively, however, Jakar is a separate thromde (municipality) inside the gewog. The administrative office for the Choekhor Gewog is located in the northern suburbs of Jakar.{{cite web|url=http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/2011/finaldelimitation/bumthang.pdf |title=Chiwogs in Bumthang |publisher=Election Commission, Government of Bhutan |year=2011 |accessdate=2011-07-28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002183315/http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/2011/finaldelimitation/bumthang.pdf |archivedate=2011-10-02 }} Just north of Jakar lies Wangchuck Centennial Park, a protected area of Bhutan.{{cite web|url=http://www.bhutantrustfund.bt/parks-of-bhutan |title=Parks of Bhutan |work=Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation online |publisher=Bhutan Trust Fund |accessdate=2011-03-26 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702041330/http://www.bhutantrustfund.bt/parks-of-bhutan |archivedate=2011-07-02 }}
=Climate=
Jakar has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen: Cwb).
{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|collapsed = Y
|location = Jakar, elevation {{convert|2470|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1996–2017 normals)
|Jan record high C = 18.5
|Feb record high C = 20.0
|Mar record high C = 23.0
|Apr record high C = 24.0
|May record high C = 25.5
|Jun record high C = 28.0
|Jul record high C = 27.0
|Aug record high C = 27.0
|Sep record high C = 26.5
|Oct record high C = 24.0
|Nov record high C = 22.0
|Dec record high C = 19.0
|Jan record low C = -13.0
|Feb record low C = -11.0
|Mar record low C = -7.0
|Apr record low C = -2.5
|May record low C = 0.0
|Jun record low C = 3.0
|Jul record low C = 10.0
|Aug record low C = 9.5
|Sep record low C = 4.5
|Oct record low C = -5.0
|Nov record low C = -10.0
|Dec record low C = -13.5
|Jan high C = 11.4
|Feb high C = 13.0
|Mar high C = 15.3
|Apr high C = 17.5
|May high C = 19.7
|Jun high C = 21.9
|Jul high C = 22.7
|Aug high C = 22.7
|Sep high C = 21.6
|Oct high C = 18.8
|Nov high C = 15.5
|Dec high C = 12.9
| year high C =
|Jan mean C = 3.8
|Feb mean C = 6.0
|Mar mean C = 8.7
|Apr mean C = 11.7
|May mean C = 14.6
|Jun mean C = 17.5
|Jul mean C = 18.6
|Aug mean C = 18.5
|Sep mean C = 17.1
|Oct mean C = 12.9
|Nov mean C = 8.4
|Dec mean C = 5.0
| year mean C =
|Jan low C = -3.9
|Feb low C = -1.1
|Mar low C = 2.1
|Apr low C = 5.9
|May low C = 9.5
|Jun low C = 13.0
|Jul low C = 14.4
|Aug low C = 14.2
|Sep low C = 12.5
|Oct low C = 7.0
|Nov low C = 1.3
|Dec low C = -2.9
| year low C =
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 5.9
|Feb rain mm = 10.6
|Mar rain mm = 34.2
|Apr rain mm = 66.6
|May rain mm = 94.4
|Jun rain mm = 97.6
|Jul rain mm = 155.9
|Aug rain mm = 138.7
|Sep rain mm = 89.1
|Oct rain mm = 57.3
|Nov rain mm = 6.9
|Dec rain mm = 1.9
|year rain mm =
|Jan rain days = 0.8
|Feb rain days = 2.2
|Mar rain days = 6.5
|Apr rain days = 12.3
|May rain days = 15.7
|Jun rain days = 16.2
|Jul rain days = 21.7
|Aug rain days = 19.6
|Sep rain days = 14.5
|Oct rain days = 6.6
|Nov rain days = 0.9
|Dec rain days = 0.4
|year rain days =
| Jan humidity = 72.3
| Feb humidity = 70.5
| Mar humidity = 68.7
| Apr humidity = 69.6
| May humidity = 70.7
| Jun humidity = 73.4
| Jul humidity = 77.6
| Aug humidity = 78.0
| Sep humidity = 75.5
| Oct humidity = 72.0
| Nov humidity = 68.5
| Dec humidity = 73.1
| year humidity =
|source 1 = National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology{{cite web
| url = https://www.nchm.gov.bt/attachment/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Climate%20Data%20Book%20of%20Bhutan%2C%202018.pdf
| title = Climate Data Book of Bhutan, 2018
| publisher = National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology
| accessdate = 20 February 2025}}
|source 2 = World Meteorological Organization (rainy days 1996–2018)
{{cite web|url = https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=1275|title = World Weather Information Service – Bumthang|publisher= World Meteorological Organization|access-date = 24 August 2023
}}
}}
Transport
Jakar is accessed via a north-south road that connects to the Lateral Road, the main highway of Bhutan.
Jakar is also the site of Bathpalathang Airport. The airport formed part of the Royal Bhutanese Government's 10th Five Year Plan (2008). The airport was originally scheduled to open in October 2010,{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15629 |title=Who'll Take Wing |date=2010-06-01 |accessdate=2011-09-08 |publisher=Kuensel online |first=Samten |last=Wangchuk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512223910/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15629 |archive-date=12 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} but faced many delays due to soil stability,{{cite web |url=http://www.bbs.com.bt/bbs/?p=751 |title=Bathpalathang Airport Will not Complete on Time |publisher=Bhutan Broadcasting Service |date=2010-08-14 |accessdate=2011-09-08 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518195246/http://www.bbs.com.bt/bbs/?p=751 |archivedate=2013-05-18 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=16442 |title=Quality Outweighs Deadline |publisher=Kuensel online |first=Samten |last=Yeshi |date=2010-08-18 |accessdate=2011-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512231542/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=16442 |archive-date=12 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} river diversion,{{cite web|url=http://www.businessbhutan.bt/?p=3578 |title=Despite River Training Works, Bathpalathang Airport Will Finish on Time |date=2010-12-10 |publisher=Business Bhutan online |author=Saraswati |accessdate=2011-09-08}}{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15636 |title=River Diversion Work Begins |date=2010-06-02 |first=Samten |last=Yeshi |accessdate=2011-09-08 |publisher=Kuensel online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513005333/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15636 |archive-date=13 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} funding,{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=16795 |title=Penalty Paid ... From One Pocket to Another |date=2010-09-21 |first=Kesang |last=Dema |publisher=Kuensel online |accessdate=2011-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513022856/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=16795 |archive-date=13 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} and labour.{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=19450 |title=Second Deadline Likely to be Missed |first=Samten |last=Yeshi |date=2011-05-20 |publisher=Kuensel online |accessdate=2011-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513013441/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=19450 |archive-date=13 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14069 |first=Gyalsten K |last=Dorji |title=2 Domestic Airports by 2010 |publisher=Kuensel online |date=2009-11-26 |accessdate=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305053919/http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14069 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14428 |first=Sonam |last=Pelden |publisher=Kuensel online |title=Groundwork Begins for Taking to the Air |date=2010-01-08 |accessdate=2011-07-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305053837/http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14428 |archivedate=2012-03-05 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18336 |title=An April Beginning? |first=Gyaltsen K |last=Dorji |publisher=Kuensel online |date=2011-02-09 |accessdate=2011-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512230405/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18336 |archive-date=12 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} Labour and material shortages through early 2011 prompted a new target date of July 2011, however as of September 2011, the airport had not been opened for operations.{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=20705 |title=Picture Story – So Close Yet So Far |accessdate=2011-09-08 |date=2011-09-08 |first=Tashi |last=Tenzin |publisher=Kuensel online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512232036/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=20705 |archive-date=12 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} Further complications have arisen from legislated land and property compensation schemes for those who have been forced to move to accommodate the airport.{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18282 |title=Unresolved Land Issues in Bumthang |first=Samten |last=Yeshi |publisher=Kuensel online |date=2011-02-01 |accessdate=2011-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513023725/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18282 |archive-date=13 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} Both Drukair and Tashi Air conducted inaugural flights to Bathpalathang on 17 December 2011—coinciding with the national day of Bhutan.{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=23385 |title=On Drukair's Historic Flight |first=Gyalsten K |last=Dorji |publisher=Kuensel online |date=2011-12-19 |accessdate=2012-01-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211175151/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=23385 |archivedate=2012-02-11 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.planes.cz/en/photo/1125929/atr42-500-a5-rgh-drukair-drk-kb-bumthang-bbh-vqbt/ |title=Aerial photo |date=2011-12-29 |accessdate=2012-02-23 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907104632/http://www.planes.cz/en/photo/1125929/atr42-500-a5-rgh-drukair-drk-kb-bumthang-bbh-vqbt/ |archive-date=7 September 2012 |url-status=dead }} The first commercial Drukair flight between Paro and Bathpalathang occurred on 23 December 2011; it failed to make a profit.{{cite web |url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=23576 |title=Drukair's Maiden Flight Fails to Break Even |first=Gyalsten K |last=Dorji |publisher=Kuensel online |date=2011-12-23 |accessdate=2012-01-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120906185050/http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=23576 |archivedate=2012-09-06 }}
Main sights
=Jakar Dzong=
{{main|Jakar Dzong}}
Constructed in 1667, Jakar Dzong sits atop a ridge above the town of Jakar. The dzong fortress is now an administrative center. It may be the largest dzong in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than {{convert|1,500|m|ft}}.{{rp|168}}
Tourism
Being located in the spacious and tree covered Bumthang (Choekhor) Valley, the area is also a popular tourist destination, and consequently the town is served by several good quality hotels and craft shops, along with several guest houses.
The bazaar is located on a street of single story buildings in an area of the town called Chamkhar. A new bazaar consisting of three story traditional buildings in the Dekiling area was planned to be completed in 2010.
Culture
Jakar, like the rest of Bumthang District and its neighbors, is culturally part of eastern Bhutan. While Dzongkha is the national language of administration and instruction, local languages include Bumthang and Brokkat. Jakar is famous throughout Bhutan for its distinctive and brightly colored woven wool items called yethra.
Schools
There are 19 schools in the dzongkhag. There are two higher secondary schools, three middle secondary schools and two lower secondary schools and the rest are community schools.
Gallery
File:Post office of Bumthang 2008 534 714kb.jpg
File:BumthangHouses.jpg|Houses near Jakar
File:Jakar2.jpg|Jakar street
See also
References
{{reflist}}