The Head Monk Pelden Wangchuck of Jakar Dzong — located in Jakar Village of Chamkhar Thromde (municipality), Bumthang district — provides insight into the history of Jakar Dzong. The dzong is said to be first built in the 14th century by a Tibetan lama, Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk. It was later renovated in 1646 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the first Penlop (governor) of Trongsa. The renovations continued under the 4th Druk Desi Tenzin Rabgay (1680-1694). He constructed a Chhu Dzong, a "Fortress of Water" in this context meaning a water tower is included in the dzong complex, which is a unique feature not found in any of the other dzongs of Bhutan. The purpose of the Chhu Dzong was to make water available within the dzong during times of war so that the local people did not have to leave the safety of the fortified settlement in order to obtain water. The dzong's water is also considered as sacred. In 1997, with approval from the government, the dzongkhag dratshang (monastic body) began preparing the annual festival Jakar Tshechu which eventually came into being starting from the year 2000.