Kinley opines

Statues of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal depicted in the ritual ngagchang (སྔགས་འཆང) cloak are rare in Bhutanese temples. However, his image clad in this attire frequently appears in the murals of gönkhangs—shrines dedicated to the three chief protector deities: Yeshey Gönpo, Paldhen Lhamo, and Leygön Jaro Dongchen. In these sacred spaces, the ngagchang cloak is an integral art of his representation. The image of Zhabdrung in the ngagchang cloak holds profound historical and spiritual significance, dating back to the era when Bhutan faced repeated invasions by Tibetan forces. During those turbulent times, ritual dances and torma offerings were performed with the Zhabdrung adorned in ngagchang, invoking protective deities to ensure victory and safeguard Bhutanese warriors. One of the most storied moments occurred during the siege of Punakha Dzong by powerful Tibetan forces. It is said that Zhabdrung Rinpoche, visible to the enemy encamped across the river, conducted a powerful religious off...