Legend has it that when the lamas assembled in 1549 to decide the site of a monastery, a white bird rose suddenly in the air and settled on a hill spur. Taking this to be a good omen, the monastery was built which was later upgraded to the dzong in 1646 after the Zhabdrung had firmly established his power. Jakar Dzong is now the administrative center for Bumthang valley, and also houses the regional monk body.