Phuntsog Namgyal was consecrated at Yuksom, a location considered sacred due to:

Its association with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava)
Its strategic importance
Its fertile lands
Its proximity to trade routes

The correct answer is: a) Its association with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava).

Guru Rinpoche, also known as Padmasambhava, is a Buddhist master who is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. He is considered to be the second Buddha and is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus in Bhutan. Yuksom is a town in western Bhutan that is considered to be one of the most sacred places in the country. It is said that Guru Rinpoche meditated at Yuksom and that he left his footprints on a rock there. The town is also home to the first Buddhist temple in Bhutan, the Jambey Lhakhang.

The other options are incorrect because:

  • b) Its strategic importance: Yuksom is not a particularly strategic location. It is located in a remote part of Bhutan and is not on any major trade routes.
  • c) Its fertile lands: Yuksom is not particularly fertile. The land around the town is mostly mountainous and there is not much arable land.
  • d) Its proximity to trade routes: Yuksom is not close to any major trade routes. The nearest major trade route is the one that runs between Paro and Thimphu.