Punakha Dzong
The second of Bhutan's dzongs was prophesied by Guru Rimpoche.
The Shabdrung began construction in 1637 and the dzong was
completed a year later. It was called Pungthang Dechen Phodrang
(Palace of Great Happiness). A chapel was added later to
celebrate a victory over the Tibetans in 1639. The dzong was
seat of the government while Punakha was the capital and the
third king convened the new National Assembly here in 1953. The
dzong is the winter residence of the Dratsheng (Central Monk
Body).
The cable suspension bridge which now spans the Mo Chhu
replaced the cantilever bridges built around 1730. After fires
in 1750 and 1798 several temples were built including Lama
Lhakhang which houses a statue of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel,
Gemkhang Chhenpo which is the temple of Mahakali and Mahkala,
and Nange Tseum which houses the relics of saints. During the
reign of the 13th desi Sherab Wangchuck (1744-1763) many
features of the dzong were added . He commissioned the gold
statues of the Buddha and the Shabdrung in the main hall, as
well as the thondrol named Chenmo depicting the Shabdrung which
is unfurled at the annual tsechu festival. The dzong was damaged
by fires in 1802, 1831, and 1849. It was damaged by an
earthquake in 1897 and by floods in 1960 and 1994. The Je
Khenpo's residence was damaged by fire in 1986 and is being
rebuilt using traditional materials and methods. Machey Lhakhang
houses the remains of the great saint Pema Lingpa and the
Shabdrung. The 'one hundred pillar hall' which has only 54
pillars has exceptional murals. Nag Yul Bum temple is associated
with the Je Khenpo has a complete 108 volume set of the Kanjur
(the holy book of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage) written in gold.
Bhutan's most treasured statue the Rangjung Kharsapani which the
Shabdrung brought from Tibet is housed in the Nag Yul Bum
temple.
